2015 Reading State Snapshot Report
North Carolina
Overall Results
In 2015, the average score of eighth-grade students in North Carolina
was 261. This was lower than the average score of 264 for public school
students in the nation.
The average score for students in North Carolina in 2015 (261) was
lower than their average score in 2013 (265) and was not significantly
different from their average score in 1998 (262).
The percentage of students in North Carolina who performed at or
above the NAEP Proficient level was 30 percent in 2015. This percentage
was not significantly different from that in 2013 (33 percent) and in 1998
(30 percent).
The percentage of students in North Carolina who performed at or
above the NAEP Basic level was 72 percent in 2015. This percentage was
smaller than that in 2013 (76 percent) and was not significantly different
from that in 1998 (74 percent).
Compare the Average Score in 2015 to Other
States/Jurisdictions
■
Grade 8
■
Public Schools
Achievement-Level Percentages and Average Score
Results
North Carolina
26
1998
44
2013
24*
2015
28
41
25
42
Average Score
2
262
28
43
29
265*
4
27
261
3
Nation (public)
2015
29
3
264
Percent below Basic Percent at Proficient
or at Basic or Advanced
Below Basic
Basic
Proficient
Advanced
* Significantly different (p < .05) from state's results in 2015. Significance tests were
performed using unrounded numbers.
NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Average Scores for State/Jurisdiction and Nation
(public)
Score
500
300
290
DC
280
DoDEA
DE
270
RI
260
266*
262
265*
261*
264
261
250
0
'98
Nation (public)
In 2015, the average score in North Carolina (261) was
lower than those in 32 states/jurisdictions
higher than those in 4 states/jurisdictions
not significantly different from those in 15 states/jurisdictions
'02 '03
'05
'07
'09
'11
'13
'15
Year
North Carolina
* Significantly different (p < .05) from 2015. Significance tests were performed using
unrounded numbers.
DoDEA = Department of Defense Education Activity (overseas and domestic schools)
Results for Student Groups in 2015
Reporting Groups
Race/Ethnicity
White
Black
Hispanic
Asian
American Indian/Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Two or more races
Gender
Male
Female
National School Lunch Program
Eligible
Not eligible
Percentage
Percentage at Percentage
of Avg.
or above
at
students score Basic Proficient Advanced
52
25
16
3
1
#
3
271
243
252
279
250
‡
269
81
54
66
87
56
‡
81
40
13
21
55
27
‡
37
5
1
1
7
4
‡
2
51
49
254
268
66
78
24
37
2
5
57
42
249
277
61
86
18
48
1
7
Score Gaps for Student Groups
In 2015, Black students had an average score that was 27 points lower
than that for White students. This performance gap was not
significantly different from that in 1998 (25 points).
In 2015, Hispanic students had an average score that was 19 points
lower than that for White students. Data are not reported for Hispanic
students in 1998, because reporting standards were not met.
In 2015, female students in North Carolina had an average score that
was higher than that for male students by 14 points.
In 2015, students who were eligible for free/reduced-price school lunch,
an indicator of low family income, had an average score that was 28
points lower than that for students who were not eligible. This
performance gap was not significantly different from that in 1998 (24
points).
# Rounds to zero.
‡ Reporting standards not met.
NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding, and because the "Information not
available" category for the National School Lunch Program, which provides
free/reduced-price lunches, is not displayed. Black includes African American and Hispanic
includes Latino. Race categories exclude Hispanic origin.
NOTE: Statistical comparisons are calculated on the basis of unrounded scale scores or percentages.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP),
various years, 1998-2015 Reading Assessments.