Increase the proportion of 4th-graders with reading skills at or above the proficient level — AH‑05

This objective is a Leading Health Indicator (LHI). Learn about LHIs.

Status: Getting worse

  
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Getting worse

Most Recent Data:
33.3 percent (2022)

Target:
41.5 percent

Desired Direction:
Increase desired

Baseline:
36.6 percent of 4th grade students attending public and private schools had reading skills at or above the proficient achievement level for their grade in 2017

Increase the proportion of 4th grade students whose reading skills are at or above the proficient achievement level for their grade

Target-Setting Method
Projection

Summary

Children with poor reading skills are more likely to struggle in school and to take part in risky behaviors as adolescents. There are significant disparities in reading skills among 4th-graders by race/ethnicity, school type, and eligibility for the National School Lunch Program. Early interventions to develop reading skills can improve school performance, which is linked to healthy behaviors.