NancyWalker

The test, known as the NAEP, is administered to randomly chosen groups of students throughout the country every two years. It is seen by experts as an important way to compare student performance across states, which all have their own standards and definitions of proficiency.

Over all, the city, state and nation continue to do poorly. Nationally, only 31 percent of fourth grade public school students are proficient in reading, a standard defined by the test as “competency over challenging subject matter.” Sixty-five percent are “above basic,” with partial mastery of knowledge and skills that are considered fundamental.

Among fourth graders in public school in New York State, 36 percent of students are proficient in reading, and 71 percent are above basic, a better performance than the nation. In the city, 29 percent of fourth graders are proficient, and 63 percent are above basic, a performance that is below the national average, but better than many other urban school systems.