What percentage of students in Wisconsin are proficient in reading?
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About 31% of 4th graders and 31% of 8th graders in Wisconsin 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.
31%
of Wisconsin 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
31%
of Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin were advanced in reading and 23% were proficient, which means that about 7 out of 10 (69%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 69% scored at basic or below.
Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin was higher than the US in 3 test years (1992, 1994, and 1998). In all other test years since 1992, there was not a significant difference between Wisconsin and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Wisconsin was higher than the US in 5 test years (2003, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Wisconsin and the US.
Wisconsin 4th graders had a similar level of reading proficiency as the US in 11 out of 14 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Wisconsin 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, white students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2015.
In 8th grade, white students also had the highest rate of reading proficiency in 2024.
Among 4th graders in 2024, white students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2015.
In 8th grade, white students also had the highest rate of reading proficiency in 2024.
The reading proficiency rate for white students in 4th grade is 4.8 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Wisconsin, 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 (35% and 28%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do Wisconsin students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Wisconsin had the 23rd highest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Hawaii and New York. This is 9 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Wisconsin was 14th highest in reading proficiency.
Wisconsin is 23rd highest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 14th highest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in reading in 2024
How do Milwaukee Public Schools 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 Wisconsin - Milwaukee Public Schools.
4th grade students in Milwaukee Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 9% in 2024. This is lower than both the Wisconsin and US averages.
8th grade students in Milwaukee Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 15% in 2024. This is lower than both the Wisconsin and US averages.
Among the districts that participated, Milwaukee Public Schools had the third lowest reading proficiency rate in 4th grade, and the fourth lowest in 8th grade.
The reading proficiency rate for Milwaukee Public Schools 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.
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.
