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How proficient are U.S. 4th graders in math and science in each state?
Public school students reaching proficiency in 4th grade math, by state: 2011
Public school students reaching proficiency in 4th grade science,
by state: 2009
by state: 2009
- Notes:
- NAEP = National Assessment of Educational Progress (The Nation's Report Card)
- Notes:
- NAEP = National Assessment of Educational Progress (The Nation's Report Card)
In 2011, 40% of 4th grade public school students nationwide performed at or above the proficient level in math, an increase from 31% in 2003.
In 2009, 32% of 4th grade public school students nationwide performed at or above the proficient level in science on the NAEP assessment.
Key Observations
- Of the 51 jurisdictions that participated in both the 2003 and 2011 NAEP assessments, 50 showed significant increases in the percentage of public school 4th graders scoring at or above the proficient level in math over the period.
- Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota, and New Jersey were the only states to have more than half of their public school 4th graders reach the proficient level in math.
- Among the states, there were significant differences in the percentage of 4th grade public school students who demonstrated proficiency in science, from 17% in Mississippi to 47% in New Hampshire.
- Northern states tended to have the higher percentage of 4th grade students scoring at or above proficiency in science.