South Carolina ranks in bottom 10 states for test scores

With this in mind, StartClass ranked the states based on their performance on assessment test scores using data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the "Nation's Report Card." The NAEP is America's "largest continuing and nationally representative assessment of what our nation’s students know and can do in select subjects" and was first administered in 1969. These results are for states from the 2015 reading and math assessments for Grades 4 and 8, both deemed critical junctures in academic achievement. Results for Grade 12 from 2015 from each state have not yet been released.

States are ranked based on the average percent of students who scored proficient or above on math and reading tests for the two grades. The math assessment measures students' knowledge and skill in mathematics and their ability to apply their knowledge in problem-solving situations. The reading assessment measures students' reading comprehension by asking them to read grade-appropriate materials and answer questions based on what they have read.

Note: In the event of ties, the state with the higher Grade 8 math proficiency rate was ranked higher on the list.

#50. Nex Mexico

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 22.8 percent

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#49. Alabama

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 24.5 percent

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#48. Mississippi

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 24.5 percent

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#47. Louisiana

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 25 percent

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#46. West Virginia

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 27.8 percent

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#45. California

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 28 percent

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#44. Nevada

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 28.5 percent

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#43. Arkansas

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 29 percent

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#42. Oklahoma

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 30.5 percent

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#41. South Carolina

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 30.8 percent

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#40. Hawaii

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 30.8 percent

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#39. Michigan

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 31 percent

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#38. Georgia

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 31.8 percent

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#37. Alaska

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 32 percent

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#36. Arizona

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 33.5 percent

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#35. Tennessee

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 33.8 percent

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#34. Delaware

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 33.8 percent

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#33. New York

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 33.8 percent

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#32. Texas

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 33.8 percent

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#31. Florida

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 34.3 percent

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#30. Illinois

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 34.8 percent

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#29. Missouri

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 35.3 percent

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#28. Oregon

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 35.3 percent

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#27. South Dakota

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 35.8 percent

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#26. Kentucky

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 36 percent

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#25. Rhode Island

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 36 percent

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#24. Kansas

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 36 percent

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#23. North Carolina

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 36.3 percent

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#22. Idaho

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 36.3 percent

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#21. Maine

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 37 percent

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#20. Maryland

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 37.3 percent

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#19. Ohio

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 38.5 percent

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#18. Montana

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 38.5 percent

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#17. Iowa

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 38.8 percent

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#16. North Dakota

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 38.8 percent

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#15. Colorado

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 39.3 percent

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#14. Wyoming

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 40 percent

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#13. Utah

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 40 percent

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#12. Pennsylvania

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 40.3 percent

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#11. Nebraska

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 40.5 percent

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#10. Wisconsin

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 40.5 percent

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#9. Connecticut

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 40.8 percent

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#8. Washington

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 40.8 percent

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#7. Virginia

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 41 percent

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#6. Indiana

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 41.5 percent

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#5. Vermont

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 43.5 percent

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#4. New Jersey

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 44.3 percent

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#3. Minnesota

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 45 percent

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#2. New Hampshire

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 47 percent

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#1. Massachusetts

Average percent of students at or above proficient: 50.3 percent

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