WHERE DOES THE DATA COME FROM?
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The NAEP is also called the Nation's Report Card. It is a national program that measures student learning in the United States. The NCES and the National Assessment Governing Board oversee it. NAEP assesses students in the 4th grade in subjects such as reading, math, science, and writing. NAEP collects data on how students perform. It helps teachers and leaders understand learning patterns. It is the primary national assessment used to measure reading comprehension among 4th grade students (Irwin et al., 2024). Using the same standards across all states allows for consistent comparisons over time.
WHAT THE DATA SHOWS
WHAT THE DATA SHOWS
Figure 1. U.S. Map of reading proficiency rates (at or above proficient). Source: https://public.tableau.com/views/USMAPREADINGPRO/Sheet12?:language=en-US&:increment_view_count=no&:embed=y&:sid=&:redirect=auth&:embed_code_version=3&:loadOrderID=0&:display_count=y&publish=yes&:origin=viz_share_link
NATIONWIDE 4th GRADE PROFICIENCY %
This map shows differences in 4th grade reading proficiency across the United States in 2024. States are grouped by the percentage of students reading at or above the proficient level. Some states have higher reading proficiency rates, while others fall behind. These differences highlight disparities in educational outcomes and show that where a child lives can influence reading success.
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4th GRADE READING TRENDS
1998-2024
This chart shows that 4th grade reading scores have gone down over time for students at all levels. Average scores dropped from 220 in 2019 to 215 in 2024. Higher performing students and lower performing students both saw declines. This means the problem is not affecting just one group of students. It points to a larger issue in reading achievement across the country and shows why early support for reading is important.
Figure 2.Trend in fourth-grade NAEP reading average and selected percentile scores.Source: https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reports/reading/2024/g4_8/?grade=4
Figure 3. Bar Chart representing male and female scores from 2017 until 2024. Source: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/david.walker5107/viz/NAEPReadingscoresofMaleFemalestudentsfrom2017-2024/Sheet1?publish=yes
NAEP SCORES BETWEEN MALE & FEMALE STUDENTS
Female students scored higher than male students on the NAEP reading assessment from 2017 to 2024. During this time, scores for both groups plummeted. This may reflect a growing learning gap in the education system. The data also show a broader concern that reading scores for students across the United States have been decreasing over time (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2024; National Center for Education Statistics, 2025).
% OF 4TH GRADERS BY SCHOOL LOCATION
The graph below shows the percentage of 4th graders who can read at or above basic proficiency level. This information is organized by where the schools are located: cities, suburbs, towns, and rural areas. This data covers the years from 2017 to 2024 and gives a clear picture of different groups of students across the country. By looking at these facts, researchers can find better ways to help children in all kinds of neighborhoods to improve their reading skills. ⬇️
Figure 4. Bar Chart representing percentages of 4th grade students and what type of community they reside in. Source: https://public.tableau.com/views/Percentageof4thGradeStudentsbySchoolLocale/Percentageof4thGradeStudentsbySchoolLocale2017-2024?:language=en-US&:sid=&:redirect=auth&:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link
WHAT THE DATA TELLS US
READING BETWEEN THE NUMBERS
The charts and maps on this page show that 4th grade reading proficiency remains a challenge across the country, with declines in scores over time and differences between states. Together, these data highlight a broader literacy gap that can affect student success in school and beyond. Understanding the problem is the first step.
BUILDING STRONG READERS
Reading success is shaped by more than what happens in the classroom. Research shows children do better in reading when they have books at home, internet access, a quiet place to study, and support from schools with resources like libraries. Regular school attendance also matters. Students without these supports may face more barriers to reaching reading goals. These differences can contribute to reading disparities and show why families, schools, and communities all have a role in helping children succeed (Bozkuş, 2025).
This site gives parents & caregivers simple ways to help their child become a stronger reader.
On the next page you will find:
Easy strategies that fit into real life
Ways to make reading less stressful
Tools to help kids build strong habits
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