What percentage of students in Washington state are proficient in reading?
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About 32% of 4th graders and 31% of 8th graders in Washington 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.
32%
of Washington 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
31%
of Washington 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 Washington were advanced in reading and 23% were proficient, which means that about 2 out of 3 (68%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 69% scored at basic or below.
Washington 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.
Washington 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 Washington state 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 Washington state 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 Washington was higher than the US in 4 test years (2002, 2005, 2013, and 2015). In all other test years since 1994, there was not a significant difference between Washington and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Washington was higher than the US in 8 test years (2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2019). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Washington and the US.
Washington 4th graders had a similar level of reading proficiency as the US in 10 out of 14 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Washington state and the US, 1994–2024
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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 2011.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2009.
Among 4th graders in 2024, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2011.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2009.
The reading proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 3.6 times higher than the group with the lowest (American Indian/Alaska Native students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Washington state, by race/ethnicity, 1994–2024
Does reading proficiency differ by gender?
In 2024, female students had higher reading proficiency than male students in 4th grade (37% and 27%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do Washington state students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Washington state had the 16th highest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Ohio and Mississippi. This is 8 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Washington state was 19th highest in reading proficiency.
Washington state is 16th highest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 19th 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.
