Fourth Grade Reading
Fourth grade reading proficiency is associated with long term academic success and positive social and behavioral outcomes over the life course. There are significant disparities in reading skills among 4th-graders by race/ethnicity, school type, and eligibility for the National School Lunch Program [1].
The charts below present fourth grade reading proficiency for students in Summit County Ohio belonging to different populations. The disparities seen in the charts highlight the need to reduce systemic inequality in educational opportunities.
The chart below reports the percentage of students proficient on the fourth grade state reading test by race/ethnicity since 2017. Here we see overall proficiency rate has declined since 2017, with major disparities between racial/ethnic categories.
The chart below reports the percentage of students proficient on the fourth grade state reading test by gender since 2017. We see that proficiency rates remain lower for young males in our county.
The chart below reports the percentage of students proficient on the fourth grade state reading test by selected demographic characteristics since 2017. We see a particular disparity between students experiencing economic disadvantagement and those not experiencing economic disadvantagement. Currently, we consider qualifying for free or reduced priced lunch as the indicator for economic disadvantagement.
The chart below reports the n-size for All Students in the Fourth Grade Reading data.
[1] “Increase the Proportion of 4th-Graders with Reading Skills at or above the Proficient Level — AH‑05 – Healthy People 2030 | Health.gov.” Health.gov, health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/schools/increase-proportion-4th-graders-reading-skills-or-above-proficient-level-ah-05. Accessed 22 Nov. 2023.