Kentucky sees gain in 4th-grade math scores on 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress

(FRANKFORT, KY) – Kentucky’s 4th-grade math students saw an increase in their scores on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card. Only 14 other states made statistically significant gains in 4th-grade math during this testing cycle.

The rest of Kentucky’s scores in 4th-grade reading and 8th-grade math and reading held steady, marking the first time students in the Commonwealth have progressed or held steady on NAEP since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commonwealth’s students also were above the national average in both 4th- and 8th-grade reading, as well as 4th-grade math.

“I am pleased to begin to see evidence of success for all of the hard work put in by Kentucky’s public school educators to help their students recover from the impacts of COVID,” Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher said. “We believe this is a step in the right direction, and I know that our educators are making a true impact on the lives of their students.”

For more than 50 years, NAEP has been the country’s only nationally representative and continuing survey of students’ educational achievement. The assessment is authorized by Congress and directed by the National Center for Education Statistics. In Kentucky, a representative, random sample of 4th- and 8th-graders are tested every two years in reading and mathematics.

Student performance on NAEP fits into one of four reporting categories: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient or Advanced.

2024 NAEP SCALE SCORES –
KENTUCKY COMPARED TO OTHER STATES/JURISDICTIONS

2024 NAEP ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL PERCENTAGES

NOTE: The Basic level signifies partial mastery of the knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficient work in a grade and subject. Proficient denotes solid academic performance demonstrating competency over challenging subject matter, including subject-matter knowledge, application of such knowledge to real-world situations and analytical skills. Advanced represents superior performance beyond proficiency. Proficient is not the same as being “on grade level,” which refers to student performance based on local standards and curriculum that can vary among school districts.

The NAEP reading assessment tests students on literary and informational texts. The questions measure students’ ability to locate and recall, integrate and interpret, and critique and evaluate text. In both 4th- and 8th-grade reading, Kentucky students were above the national average.

NAEP READING SCALE SCORES – TRENDS SINCE 2011

The mathematics assessment addresses five content areas: number properties and operations; measurement; geometry; data analysis, statistics and probability; and algebra. Kentucky students were above the national average in 4th-grade, while they are gaining ground on the national average in 8th grade.

NAEP MATHEMATICS SCALE SCORES – TRENDS SINCE 2011

Fletcher said while it is too early to tell if these improvements are a trend, he is grateful for the resources and time Kentucky has invested in its students.

“The Kentucky Department of Education remains committed to working with our districts, schools and educators to help ensure all of our public school students have access to vibrant learning experiences that can help prepare them for life after graduation,” Fletcher said. “We believe that the investments our General Assembly has made in literacy and numeracy, along with our collaboration with local school districts in these areas, will enable our students to achieve even higher levels in the years to come.”