This online Highlights presents an overview of results from the NAEP 2017 mathematics and reading reports. Highlighted results include key findings for the nation, states/jurisdictions, and 27 districts that participated in the Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) in mathematics and reading at grades 4 and 8. Results are presented in terms of average scale scores and as percentages of students performing at the three NAEP achievement levels: Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. Highlighted results are presented for key demographic student groups, and student group score gaps at the national, state, and district level.

The 2017 average reading score for the nation increased at grade 8 compared to 2015; there were no changes for reading at grade 4, or mathematics at either grade. Over the long term, however, the national average mathematics and reading scores were higher for both grades in 2017 compared to the initial assessment years in both subjects (1990 for mathematics and 1992 for reading). The 2017 average scores for states in reading showed no state scoring higher in comparison to 2015 at grade 4 and nine states scoring lower. At grade 8, the 2017 reading results showed 10 states/jurisdictions scoring higher compared to 2015 and one state scoring lower. At grade 4 mathematics, the 2017 results showed that two states/jurisdictions scored higher and 10 states scored lower compared to 2015; at grade 8, two states/jurisdictions scored higher and three states scored lower.

Of the districts that participated in both 2015 and 2017, reading scores were higher in one district at grade 4 and in two districts at grade 8 in comparison to 2015, while most districts showed no significant change in scores. In mathematics, at grade 4, scores increased in four TUDA districts and decreased in four districts. There were no significant changes in eighth-grade mathematics scores for most TUDA districts; one district scored lower in comparison to 2015.