What percentage of students in Rhode Island are proficient in reading?
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About 33% of 4th graders and 30% of 8th graders in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
30%
of Rhode Island 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, 10% of 4th graders in Rhode Island were advanced in reading and 23% were proficient, which means that about 2 out of 3 (67%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 70% scored at basic or below.
Rhode Island 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.
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island was higher than the US in 2 test years (2009 and 2015). In all other test years since 1992, there was not a significant difference between Rhode Island and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Rhode Island was lower than the US in 4 test years (2002, 2003, 2007, and 2009). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Rhode Island and the US.
Rhode Island 4th graders had a similar level of reading proficiency as the US in 13 out of 15 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Rhode Island 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 had the highest rate of reading proficiency in 2024.
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 had the highest rate of reading proficiency in 2024.
The reading proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 2.7 times higher than the group with the lowest (Hispanic students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Rhode Island, 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 (37% and 29%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do Rhode Island students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Rhode Island had the 13th highest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Kentucky and South Carolina. This is 8 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Rhode Island was 20th highest in reading proficiency.
Rhode Island is 13th highest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 20th highest 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.
