What percentage of students in Pennsylvania are proficient in reading?
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About 33% of 4th graders and 31% of 8th graders in Pennsylvania 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.
33%
of Pennsylvania 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
31%
of Pennsylvania 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, 8% of 4th graders in Pennsylvania were advanced in reading and 25% were proficient, which means that about 2 out of 3 (67%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 69% scored at basic or below.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania was higher than the US in 9 test years (2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019). In all other test years since 1992, there was not a significant difference between Pennsylvania and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Pennsylvania was higher than the US in 7 test years (2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017). In all other test years since 2002, there was not a significant difference between Pennsylvania and the US.
Pennsylvania 4th graders had higher reading proficiency than the US in 9 out of 14 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Pennsylvania 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 2009.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2005.
Among 4th graders in 2024, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2009.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2005.
The reading proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 3.2 times higher than the group with the lowest (Hispanic students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Pennsylvania, by race/ethnicity, 1992–2024
Does reading proficiency differ by gender?
In 2024, female students had higher reading proficiency than male students in 4th grade (36% and 30%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do Pennsylvania students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Pennsylvania had the 11th highest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Florida and Kentucky. This is 7 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Pennsylvania was 18th highest in reading proficiency.
Pennsylvania is 11th highest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 18th highest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in reading in 2024
How do School District of Philadelphia 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 Pennsylvania - School District of Philadelphia.
4th grade students in School District of Philadelphia had a reading proficiency of 17% in 2024. This is lower than both the Pennsylvania and US averages.
8th grade students in School District of Philadelphia had a reading proficiency of 18% in 2024. This is lower than both the Pennsylvania and US averages.
Among the districts that participated, School District of Philadelphia had the sixth lowest reading proficiency rate in 4th grade, and the seventh lowest in 8th grade.
The reading proficiency rate for School District of Philadelphia 4th graders was lower than 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.
