What percentage of students in Texas are proficient in reading?
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About 28% of 4th graders and 25% of 8th graders in Texas 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.
28%
of Texas 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
25%
of Texas 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 Texas were advanced in reading and 21% were proficient, which means that about 5 out of 7 (72%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 75% scored at basic or below.
Texas 4th graders in 2024 were lower than the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also lower than the US.
Texas 4th graders in 2024 were lower than the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also lower than the US.
In 2024, the percentage of Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas was lower than the US in 11 test years (1992, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2024). In all other test years since 1992, there was not a significant difference between Texas and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Texas was lower than the US in 12 test years (1998, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Texas and the US.
Texas 4th graders had lower reading proficiency than the US in 11 out of 15 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Texas 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 2005.
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 2005.
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 3.5 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Texas, 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 (25% and 30%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had higher proficiency compared to male students (28% and 22%, respectively).
How do Texas students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Texas had the 11th lowest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Nebraska and Missouri. This is 13 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Texas was 10th lowest in reading proficiency.
Texas is 11th lowest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 10th lowest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in reading in 2024
How do Texas’s school districts 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. Four of these districts are in Texas: Austin Independent School District, Dallas Independent School District, Fort Worth Independent School District, and Houston Independent School District.
Austin Independent School District
4th grade students in Austin Independent School District had a reading proficiency of 34%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 31%. Among the districts that participated, Austin Independent School District was sixth-highest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and second-highest in 8th grade.
Dallas Independent School District
4th grade students in Dallas Independent School District had a reading proficiency of 20%, which is lower than the US average. 8th grade students were at 18%. Among the districts that participated, Dallas Independent School District was seventh-lowest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and sixth-lowest in 8th grade.
Fort Worth Independent School District
4th grade students in Fort Worth Independent School District had a reading proficiency of 16%, which is lower than the US average. 8th grade students were at 12%. Among the districts that participated, Fort Worth Independent School District was fifth-lowest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and third-lowest in 8th grade.
Houston Independent School District
4th grade students in Houston Independent School District had a reading proficiency of 23%, which is lower than the US average. 8th grade students were at 21%. Among the districts that participated, Houston Independent School District was eighth-lowest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and 10th-lowest in 8th grade.
4th grade students in Austin Independent School District had a reading proficiency of 34%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 31%. Among the districts that participated, Austin Independent School District was sixth-highest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and second-highest in 8th grade.
Dallas Independent School District
4th grade students in Dallas Independent School District had a reading proficiency of 20%, which is lower than the US average. 8th grade students were at 18%. Among the districts that participated, Dallas Independent School District was seventh-lowest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and sixth-lowest in 8th grade.
Fort Worth Independent School District
4th grade students in Fort Worth Independent School District had a reading proficiency of 16%, which is lower than the US average. 8th grade students were at 12%. Among the districts that participated, Fort Worth Independent School District was fifth-lowest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and third-lowest in 8th grade.
Houston Independent School District
4th grade students in Houston Independent School District had a reading proficiency of 23%, which is lower than the US average. 8th grade students were at 21%. Among the districts that participated, Houston Independent School District was eighth-lowest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and 10th-lowest in 8th grade.
Explore how Texas school districts compare to other districts and the US as a whole
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.
