The national average reading/language arts proficiency is 47% (2026). Reading/language arts proficiency of school are compared within their own state only.
Note that individual states determine criteria for 'proficiency' according to their own tests.
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency Range: 28%
84%
Avg. Reading/Language Arts Proficiency: 47%
Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
States With the Highest Reading/Language Arts Proficiency (2026)
State
Average Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Rank: #11.
84%
Rank: #2-32-3.
70%
Rank: #2-32-3.
70%
Rank: #44.
60%
Rank: #55.
56%
Rank: #66.
55%
Rank: #7-87-8.
53%
Rank: #7-87-8.
53%
Rank: #9-119-11.
52%
Rank: #9-119-11.
52%
Rank: #9-119-11.
52%
Rank: #12-1612-16.
51%
Rank: #12-1612-16.
51%
Rank: #12-1612-16.
51%
Rank: #12-1612-16.
51%
Rank: #12-1612-16.
51%
Rank: #1717.
50%
Rank: #18-1918-19.
49%
Rank: #18-1918-19.
49%
Rank: #20-2220-22.
47%
Rank: #20-2220-22.
47%
Rank: #20-2220-22.
47%
Rank: #23-2423-24.
46%
Rank: #23-2423-24.
46%
Rank: #25-2825-28.
45%
Rank: #25-2825-28.
45%
Rank: #25-2825-28.
45%
Rank: #25-2825-28.
45%
Rank: #29-3229-32.
44%
Rank: #29-3229-32.
44%
Rank: #29-3229-32.
44%
Rank: #29-3229-32.
44%
Rank: #33-3533-35.
43%
Rank: #33-3533-35.
43%
Rank: #33-3533-35.
43%
Rank: #36-3936-39.
42%
Rank: #36-3936-39.
42%
Rank: #36-3936-39.
42%
Rank: #36-3936-39.
42%
Rank: #4040.
41%
Rank: #41-4241-42.
40%
Rank: #41-4241-42.
40%
Rank: #4343.
39%
Rank: #4444.
37%
Rank: #45-4645-46.
34%
Rank: #45-4645-46.
34%
Rank: #4747.
33%
Rank: #4848.
31%
Rank: #49-5049-50.
30%
Rank: #49-5049-50.
30%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national average public school reading/language arts proficiency?
The national average public school reading/language arts proficiency is 47% for 2026.
What are public schools with the highest reading/language arts proficiency in the United States?
The public schools with the highest reading/language arts proficiency in the United States include Brown Summit Middle School, Bergen County Academies and Whitney (Gretchen) High School.
What is the state with the highest average public school reading/language arts proficiency?
The state with the highest average public school reading/language arts proficiency is Maine.
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.