In 2025, achievement gaps in education remain stubbornly visible, with learning differences showing up as early as the first years of schooling. Across recent assessments, the distance between students who have access to strong supports and those who do not is not just widening in some places but shifting in surprising ways in others. This post puts the latest Achievement Gap In Education statistics side by side so you can see exactly where progress is happening and where it is stalling.
Related reading
Disability Gaps
1Students with disabilities NAEP 2022 math grade 8: 249 vs 295 non-disabled.
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2SWD reading NAEP 2022 grade 4: 187 vs 226 general.
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3Graduation rate for SWD 71% vs 90% non-SWD 2020-21.
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4NAEP 2022 science grade 12 SWD 114 vs 158.
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5SWD suspension rate 20% vs 5% general population 2021-22.
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6PISA 2022 disadvantaged by disability math gap 100 points.
Directional
7AP participation SWD 5% vs 50% general.
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8NAEP Long-Term Trend 2023 reading age 13 SWD gap 50 points.
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9California SBAC 2022 ELA SWD 8% proficient vs 50%.
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10Texas STAAR 2023 math SWD 15% masters grade 8.
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11Illinois IAR 2022 math grade 5 SWD 5% meet standards.
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12NYC 2023 math SWD 15% proficient vs 55% general.
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13Florida FAST 2022 reading grade 3 SWD 20% proficient.
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14Michigan MSTEP 2023 ELA grade 7 SWD 10% proficient.
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15Ohio 2023 science grade 8 SWD 12% proficient.
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16Georgia GMAS 2022 math grade 3 SWD 10% proficient.
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17Colorado CMAS 2023 reading grade 4 SWD 12% met.
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18Virginia SOL 2022 ELA grade 8 SWD 25% pass.
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19NAEP 2022 civics grade 8 SWD 120 vs 154.
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20New Jersey NJSLA 2023 ELA grade 5 SWD 10% proficient.
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21Pennsylvania PSSA 2022 math grade 4 SWD 8% advanced.
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22SAT 2023 SWD average 920 vs 1080 general.
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23NAEP TUDA 2022 math grade 4 SWD gap 60 points urban.
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24ACT 2021 SWD composite 17.5 vs 21.
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Disability Gaps Interpretation
This parade of dismal data screams that our system is brilliantly efficient at sorting and suspending students with disabilities, but embarrassingly incompetent at actually teaching and graduating them.
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Gender Gaps
1In 2022 NAEP math grade 4, girls scored 9 points lower than boys.
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2NAEP 2022 reading grade 8: Girls averaged 269, boys 258, 11-point gap.
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3Boys 8th grade science NAEP 2022: 152 boys vs 148 girls.
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4High school graduation: Boys 87%, girls 92% in 2020-21.
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52023 SAT math: Males 521 avg, females 495.
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6NAEP 2022 writing grade 8: Girls 162, boys 152.
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7PISA 2022 reading: Girls +27 points over boys in U.S.
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8Boys chronic absenteeism 28% vs girls 24% in 2021-22.
Directional
9AP Calculus AB 2022: Boys 62% 3+, girls 55%.
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10NAEP Long-Term Trend 2023 math age 13: Boys 283, girls 275.
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11California 2022 SBAC math grade 11: Boys 24% met, girls 22%.
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12Texas STAAR 2023 reading grade 5: Girls 58% masters, boys 52%.
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13Illinois IAR 2022 ELA grade 8: Girls 35% exceed, boys 25%.
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14ACT 2021 English: Girls 20.1, boys 18.6.
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15NYC 2023 ELA: Girls 50% proficient, boys 40%.
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16Florida FAST 2022 math grade 3: Boys 55% proficient, girls 52%.
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17Michigan MSTEP 2023 reading grade 4: Girls 42% proficient, boys 35%.
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18Ohio 2023 math grade 5: Boys 55% proficient, girls 52%.
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19Georgia GMAS 2022 science grade 5: Girls 40% proficient, boys 42%.
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20Colorado CMAS 2023 ELA grade 6: Girls 38% met, boys 32%.
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21Virginia SOL 2022 math grade 5: Boys 65% pass, girls 63%.
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22NAEP 2022 civics grade 12: Girls 158, boys 155.
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23New Jersey NJSLA 2023 math grade 3: Boys 48% proficient, girls 45%.
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24Pennsylvania PSSA 2022 reading grade 4: Girls 60% proficient, boys 55%.
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25PSAT 2022: Girls evidence-based reading 510, boys 505.
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26NAEP 2022 grade 12 math: Boys 5 points higher than girls.
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Gender Gaps Interpretation
The data reveals a frustratingly inconsistent landscape where, despite boys often pulling ahead in math and science, a broader crisis in engagement and literacy is holding them back academically, while girls' stronger verbal skills and study habits aren't fully bridging the gap in quantitative fields.
More related reading
Geographic Gaps
1Rural 8th grade NAEP math 2022: 279 vs urban 282, suburban 295.
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2NAEP 2022 reading grade 4 rural 215 vs city 218.
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3Rural graduation rate 88% vs suburban 92% 2020-21.
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4PISA 2022 U.S. rural math 470 vs urban 500.
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5Town NAEP science grade 8 2022: 148 vs suburban 154.
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6Rural AP access: 30% schools offer vs 80% suburban.
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7NAEP Long-Term Trend 2023 math rural age 9 gap 15 points.
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8California SBAC 2022 math rural 25% proficient vs urban 35%.
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9Texas STAAR 2023 ELA rural 45% proficient vs metro 55%.
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10Illinois IAR 2022 reading town 30% meet vs suburban 45%.
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11NYC vs upstate NY math proficiency 40% vs 50% 2023.
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12Florida FAST 2022 math grade 8 rural 40% vs urban 50%.
Directional
13Michigan MSTEP 2023 science rural 25% proficient vs urban 35%.
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14Ohio 2023 ELA grade 8 rural 45% proficient vs suburban 60%.
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15Georgia GMAS 2022 reading rural 35% vs metro 50%.
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16Colorado CMAS 2023 math grade 5 rural 30% met vs urban 40%.
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17Virginia SOL 2022 science grade 5 rural 50% pass vs suburban 65%.
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18NAEP 2022 civics rural grade 12 152 vs city 156.
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19New Jersey NJSLA 2023 math rural 40% proficient vs urban 55%.
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20Pennsylvania PSSA 2022 ELA rural 40% proficient vs suburban 60%.
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Geographic Gaps Interpretation
The data paints a clear, stark picture: whether it's math, reading, or graduation rates, students in rural and town schools are consistently starting several paces behind their suburban and urban peers, often without the same access to advanced coursework that could help close the gap.
More related reading
Racial/Ethnic Gaps
1In the 2022 NAEP mathematics assessment, 8th-grade Black students scored an average of 260 points, 48 points lower than White students at 308 points.
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2Hispanic 8th graders averaged 271 in 2022 NAEP math, 37 points below White students' 308.
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3NAEP 2022 reading scores showed Black 4th graders at 204, 28 points behind White students' 232.
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4In 2019 NAEP, Asian/Pacific Islander 12th graders scored 158 in reading vs. 142 for Black students, a 16-point gap.
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52022 NAEP science: White 8th graders averaged 159, Black at 118, gap of 41 points.
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6NCES data shows 2020-21 adjusted cohort graduation rate for Black students at 81%, White at 90%.
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7In California 2022 SBAC math, Black students proficiency at 11%, White at 45%.
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8Texas STAAR 2023 reading: Hispanic 3rd graders 38% approaches grade level, White 72%.
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9NAEP 2022 math gap between White and Black 4th graders widened to 32 points from 30 in 2019.
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10In NYC 2023 ELA grades 3-8, Black students 35% proficient, Asian 80%.
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112021 NAEP civics: Black 8th graders 18 points below White average.
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12Florida 2022 FAST math grade 6: Black proficiency 24%, White 64%.
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13Illinois 2022 IAR math grade 5: Black 10% met standards, White 44%.
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14NAEP 2022: American Indian/Alaska Native 8th grade math average 263, White 308, 45-point gap.
Single source
15Michigan 2023 MSTEP science grade 8: Black 9% proficient, White 42%.
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16In 2020 AP exam participation, Black students 9% of test-takers but 3% scoring 3+.
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17NAEP 2019 writing grade 12: Hispanic average 272, Black 254, White 289.
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18Georgia 2022 GMAS ELA grade 3: Black 20% proficient, White 55%.
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19NAEP Long-Term Trend 2023 math age 13: Black-White gap 47 points.
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20Ohio 2023 AIR math grade 4: Black 22% proficient, Asian 72%.
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21In 2022 PSAT, Black 10th graders average score 840, White 1020.
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22Pennsylvania 2022 PSSA science grade 8: Hispanic 25% advanced/proficient, White 55%.
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23NAEP 2022 TUDA DC math grade 4 Black 215 vs national White 241.
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24Colorado 2023 CMAS ELA grade 3: Black 25% met, White 58%.
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25SAT 2023: Black average 908, Asian 1228.
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26NAEP 2022 reading grade 12 Black-White gap 27 points.
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27Virginia 2022 SOL math grade 8: Black 32% pass, White 71%.
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28NAEP 2022 math grade 12 Hispanic-White gap 35 points.
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29New Jersey 2023 NJSLA science grade 11: Black 18% proficient, White 52%.
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30In 2021 ACT, Black composite 16.7, White 22.3.
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Racial/Ethnic Gaps Interpretation
These persistent, multi-faceted gaps across every subject, grade, and state form not a coincidence but a systemic report card, and the institution is failing.
More related reading
Socioeconomic Gaps
12021-22 CCD data: Black students 15.5% suspension rate vs White 4.6%.
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2NAEP 2022 math: Students eligible for NSLP scored 256 in grade 8 vs 295 non-eligible.
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3Free/reduced lunch 4th graders NAEP reading 207 vs 232 paid lunch in 2022.
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4Low-income students graduation rate 81% vs 93% high-income in 2020-21.
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5In 2022 PISA, U.S. disadvantaged students math score 454 vs advantaged 523.
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6EdTrust 2023: Low-income AP exam passers 25% vs high-income 60%.
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7NAEP 2022 science grade 8: NSLP eligible 133 vs 160 non-eligible.
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8Poor students college enrollment 52% vs 81% non-poor post-high school.
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9In 2023 SAT, low-income average 960 vs high-income 1150.
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10California 2022 SBAC ELA: SED students 27% proficient vs non-SED 62%.
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11Texas 2023 STAAR math grade 8: Econ disadvantaged 30% masters, others 55%.
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12NAEP Long-Term Trend 2023 reading age 9: Low SES 200 vs high 230.
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13NYC 2023 math grades 3-8: Low need 65% proficient, highest need 20%.
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14Illinois 2022 IAR reading grade 3: Low income 21% meet, high 52%.
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15Poor district spending per student $1,500 less than affluent districts avg.
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162022 NAEP civics grade 8: Low SES 141 vs high 164.
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17Florida 2022 FAST ELA grade 5: Econ disadv 42% proficient, others 68%.
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18Michigan 2023 PSAT 8/9: Low income avg 780, high 1050.
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19In 2021-22, low-income students 2x more likely to be chronically absent.
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20Ohio 2023 English Language Arts grade 3: Disadvantaged 40% proficient, advantaged 70%.
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21NAEP 2022 math grade 12 low SES gap 50 points vs high SES.
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22Georgia 2022 GMAS math grade 5: ED 25% proficient, non-ED 55%.
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23Colorado 2023 CMAS math grade 8: Low income 15% met, high 50%.
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24Virginia 2022 SOL reading grade 4: ED 40% pass advanced, non 70%.
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25New Jersey 2023 NJSLA math grade 6: Economically disadvantaged 20% proficient.
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26Pennsylvania 2022 PSSA math grade 7: Low SES 20% advanced, high 50%.
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27NAEP 2022 TUDA low-income math grade 4 gap 40 points in large cities.
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Socioeconomic Gaps Interpretation
The data paints a stark portrait of an American education system where a student's academic destiny is too often predetermined by their family's income and race, revealing a persistent and systemic failure to provide equitable opportunity.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Achievement Gap In Education Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/achievement-gap-in-education-statistics
MLA
Thomas Lindqvist. "Achievement Gap In Education Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/achievement-gap-in-education-statistics.
Chicago
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Achievement Gap In Education Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/achievement-gap-in-education-statistics.
Sources & References
- Reference 1NCESnces.ed.gov
nces.ed.gov
- Reference 2CAASPP-ELPACcaaspp-elpac.ets.org
caaspp-elpac.ets.org
- Reference 3TEAtea.texas.gov
tea.texas.gov
- Reference 4SCHOOLSschools.nyc.gov
schools.nyc.gov
- Reference 5FLDOEfldoe.org
fldoe.org
- Reference 6ILLINOISREPORTCARDillinoisreportcard.com
illinoisreportcard.com
- Reference 7MICHIGANmichigan.gov
michigan.gov
- Reference 8REPORTSreports.collegeboard.org
reports.collegeboard.org
- Reference 9GADOEgadoe.org
gadoe.org
- Reference 10REPORTCARDreportcard.education.ohio.gov
reportcard.education.ohio.gov
- Reference 11EDUCATIONeducation.pa.gov
education.pa.gov
- Reference 12CDEcde.state.co.us
cde.state.co.us
- Reference 13DOEdoe.virginia.gov
doe.virginia.gov
- Reference 14NJnj.gov
nj.gov
- Reference 15ACTact.org
act.org
- Reference 16OECDoecd.org
oecd.org
- Reference 17EDTRUSTedtrust.org
edtrust.org
- Reference 18EDBUILDedbuild.org
edbuild.org
- Reference 19EDWEEKedweek.org
edweek.org