NAEP Grade 4 Reading 2024
Source: NAEP — The Nation's Report Card, U.S. Dept. of Education (Grade 4 Reading).
In 2024, about 40% of U.S. fourth graders scored below NAEP Basic in reading, a record share in recent NAEP cycles. Proficient and Advanced shares remain well below what families and schools need for grade-level literacy across subjects.
Below-basic trend (share of students):
- 2017: 32%
- 2019: 34%
- 2022: 37%
- 2024: 40%
2024 achievement distribution:
- Below basic: 40%
- At basic: 29%
- Proficient: 23%
- Advanced: 8%