What percentage of students in Nevada are proficient in reading?
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About 30% of 4th graders and 26% of 8th graders in Nevada were considered proficient in reading in 2024, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The NAEP, also known as the Nation's Report Card, assesses 4th and 8th graders' progress in reading and math approximately every two years. Students in public, private, and charter schools are included in NAEP testing.
30%
of Nevada 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
26%
of Nevada 8th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
The NAEP uses a scale of 0-500 points to group 4th and 8th students into three achievement levels (basic, proficient, or advanced). "Proficient" is the benchmark used to describe students who demonstrate competency with challenging subject matter. However, NAEP proficiency is not the same as being on "grade level," which is often assessed by other state and district tests. More information on NAEP skill expectations at each grade level is available here.
In 2024, 7% of 4th graders in Nevada were advanced in reading and 23% were proficient, which means that about 7 out of 10 (70%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 74% scored at basic or below.
Nevada 4th graders in 2024 were not statistically different from the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was lower than the US.
Nevada 4th graders in 2024 were not statistically different from the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was lower than the US.
In 2024, the percentage of Nevada 4th graders at a proficient or advanced reading level was similar to the US average.
Percentage of students at each NAEP achievement level in 4th and 8th grade in 2024 in Nevada and the US
How has reading proficiency changed over time?
From this point onward, “proficiency” includes students who were at or above proficient in reading (proficient and advanced students).
Among 4th graders, reading proficiency in Nevada was lower than the US in 12 test years (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Nevada and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Nevada was lower than the US in 12 test years (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2024). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Nevada and the US.
Nevada 4th graders had lower reading proficiency than the US in 12 out of 13 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Nevada and the US, 1998–2024
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Reading proficiency has also varied over time for students of varying demographics. This is often referred to as the achievement gap.
Among 4th graders in 2024, students of two or more races had the highest rate of reading proficiency.
In 8th grade, students of two or more races also had the highest rate of reading proficiency in 2024.
Among 4th graders in 2024, students of two or more races had the highest rate of reading proficiency.
In 8th grade, students of two or more races also had the highest rate of reading proficiency in 2024.
The reading proficiency rate for multiracial students in 4th grade is 2.2 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Nevada, by race/ethnicity, 1998–2024
Does reading proficiency differ by gender?
In 2024, female students had higher reading proficiency than male students in 4th grade (34% and 27%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do Nevada students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Nevada had the 20th lowest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between North Carolina and Iowa. This is 10 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Nevada was 16th lowest in reading proficiency.
Nevada is 20th lowest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 16th lowest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in reading in 2024
How do Clark County School District students compare to other districts in reading proficiency?
The NAEP collected data in a subset of the nation's largest urban school districts (26 total) in 2024. One of these districts is in Nevada - Clark County School District.
4th grade students in Clark County School District had a reading proficiency of 28% in 2024. This is similar to both the Nevada and US averages.
8th grade students in Clark County School District had a reading proficiency of 23% in 2024. This is similar to the Nevada average, but lower than the US average.
Among the districts that participated, Clark County School District had the 13th highest reading proficiency rate in 4th grade, and the 13th lowest in 8th grade.
The reading proficiency rate for Clark County School District 4th graders was similar to the US average
Percentage of 4th and 8th grade students in each district who were proficient in reading in 2024
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
