What percentage of students in New York are proficient in reading?
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About 31% of 4th graders and 31% of 8th graders in New York 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.
31%
of New York 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
31%
of New York 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, 9% of 4th graders in New York were advanced in reading and 22% were proficient, which means that about 7 out of 10 (69%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 69% scored at basic or below.
New York 4th graders in 2024 were not statistically different from the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also not statistically different from the US.
New York 4th graders in 2024 were not statistically different from the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also not statistically different from the US.
In 2024, the percentage of New York 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 New York 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 New York was higher than the US in 4 test years (2002, 2003, 2007, and 2009). It was lower in 1 year (2022). In all other test years since 1992, there was not a significant difference between New York and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in New York was higher than the US in 1 test year (2005). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between New York and the US.
New York 4th graders had a similar level of reading proficiency as the US in 10 out of 15 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in New York and the US, 1992–2024
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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, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2022.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2017.
Among 4th graders in 2024, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2022.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2017.
The reading proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 3.0 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in New York, by race/ethnicity, 1992–2024
Does reading proficiency differ by gender?
In 2024, there was not a significant difference in reading proficiency between male and female students in 4th grade (29% and 32%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do New York students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
New York had the 24th highest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Wisconsin and Virginia. This is 10 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, New York was 17th highest in reading proficiency.
New York is 24th highest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 17th highest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in reading in 2024
How do New York City Department of Education 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 New York - New York City Department of Education.
4th grade students in New York City Department of Education had a reading proficiency of 28% in 2024. This is similar to both the New York and US averages.
8th grade students in New York City Department of Education had a reading proficiency of 29% in 2024. This is similar to both the New York and US averages.
Among the districts that participated, New York City Department of Education had the 12th highest reading proficiency rate in 4th grade, and the fourth highest in 8th grade.
The reading proficiency rate for New York City Department of Education 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.
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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.
