U.S. reading data
Children's Reading Statistics
Eight national figures that put today's reading picture into focus for parents, educators, librarians, and anyone choosing books for young people.
Last updated October 2, 2026. The figures below draw on the latest grade-based and long-term National Assessment of Educational Progress reading results.
A useful starting point
Reading growth deserves a closer look.
National data cannot tell the whole story about one child, one classroom, or one book. It can show the larger reading environment that families and educators are working within. These figures are a useful reference when the conversation turns to reading confidence, access to engaging stories, and helping young readers stay with a book long enough to find their own momentum.
NAEP reports results from representative samples of U.S. students. Its performance levels describe what students demonstrate on that assessment. They are not a verdict on an individual reader.
The numbers
Current national reading results
214
Average fourth-grade reading score
The national average was 214 on the NAEP reading scale in 2024, down 2 points from 2022.
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress, January 2025258
Average eighth-grade reading score
The national average was 258 in 2024. It was not significantly different from 2022 and was 3 points lower than in 2019.
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress, January 202531%
Fourth graders at or above NAEP Proficient
About 31 percent of fourth graders reached the NAEP Proficient level in reading in 2024.
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress, January 202530%
Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient
About 30 percent of eighth graders reached the NAEP Proficient level in reading in 2024.
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress, January 202540%
Fourth graders below NAEP Basic
Four in 10 fourth graders performed below the NAEP Basic level in reading in 2024.
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress, January 202533%
Eighth graders below NAEP Basic
One-third of eighth graders performed below the NAEP Basic level in reading in 2024.
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress, January 2025+4
Points gained by 9-year-olds since 2022
The average reading score for 9-year-olds was 4 points higher in 2025 than in 2022, according to NAEP's long-term trend assessment.
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress, June 20260
Significant change for 13-year-olds since 2023
The 2025 average reading score for 13-year-olds showed no significant change from 2023 on NAEP's long-term trend assessment.
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress, June 2026What this can tell us
A good book can be part of a bigger reading life.
A score is not a child's whole relationship with reading. Interest, choice, encouragement, and the feeling of getting pulled into a story all matter too. For families, the practical takeaway is simple: keep putting books within reach, let young readers follow the subjects that catch their attention, and make room for stories they want to talk about when the chapter ends.
For a reader drawn to clues, eerie settings, and a mystery they can solve alongside the characters, explore R.Edwin's young reader mysteries or start with the parent guide to mystery books for 10-year-olds.
Method and sources
How to use this page
Six figures come from The Nation's Report Card: 2024 Reading Assessment, published by the National Assessment of Educational Progress in January 2025. They use national grade 4 and grade 8 results and keep the original assessment terms in the labels.
Two figures come from 2025 Long-Term Trend Assessment in Reading and Mathematics at Ages 9 and 13, published in June 2026. That long-term assessment tracks nationally representative samples at ages 9 and 13. It uses a different assessment and age groups, so its results should not be directly compared with the grade 4 and grade 8 results above.
The page is reviewed regularly as new national reading results are published. Last reviewed October 2, 2026.
Cite this page
R.Edwin Books. "Children's Reading Statistics: U.S. Data for Parents and Educators." Updated October 2, 2026. https://redwinbooksonline.com/reading-room/childrens-reading-statistics