What percentage of students in Oregon are proficient in reading?
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About 27% of 4th graders and 27% of 8th graders in Oregon 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.
27%
of Oregon 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
27%
of Oregon 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 Oregon were advanced in reading and 19% were proficient, which means that about 3 out of 4 (73%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 73% scored at basic or below.
Oregon 4th graders in 2024 were lower than the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was not statistically different from the US.
Oregon 4th graders in 2024 were lower than the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was not statistically different from the US.
In 2024, the percentage of Oregon 4th graders at a proficient or advanced reading level was lower than the US average.
Percentage of students at each NAEP achievement level in 4th and 8th grade in 2024 in Oregon 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 Oregon was lower than the US in 4 test years (2007, 2011, 2022, and 2024). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Oregon and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Oregon was higher than the US in 1 test year (2002). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Oregon and the US.
Oregon 4th graders had a similar level of reading proficiency as the US in 9 out of 13 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Oregon 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, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency since 2017.
Among 4th graders in 2024, students of two or more races had the highest rate of reading proficiency.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency since 2017.
The reading proficiency rate for multiracial students in 4th grade is 3.0 times higher than the group with the lowest (Hispanic students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Oregon, by race/ethnicity, 1998–2024
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 (24% and 29%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had higher proficiency compared to male students (30% and 24%, respectively).
How do Oregon students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Oregon had the ninth lowest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Missouri and Delaware. This is 14 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Oregon was 20th lowest in reading proficiency.
Oregon is ninth lowest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 20th lowest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state 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.
