This report describes the reading literacy of fourth-graders in 35 countries, including the United States. The report provides information on a variety of reading topics, but with an emphasis on U.S. results. Included in the report are comparisons of average scores across the 35 countries on two reading subscales and a combined reading scale, as well as achievement broken out by sex, internationally. Within the U.S. comparisons by race/ethnicity, by public and private schools, and by poverty levels of the school are provided. The report also presents information on reading and instruction in the classroom and explores the reading habits of fourth-graders outside of school. This report defines reading literacy for fourth-graders, highlights the performance and distribution of fourth-graders relative to fourth-graders in other countries, and illustrates, through international benchmarking, the performance of assessed students. A sample reading passage and a few related test items are provided. The report also presents data on a related reading trend study in which the U.S. participated. Technical notes about the assessment are provided as an appendix, and there is also a section that compares the similarities and differences of PIRLS and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
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