Utah Literacy Rates Reveal Gaps Despite National Standing

Leo Migdal

-Dec 12, 2025, 12:27 PM

utah literacy rates reveal gaps despite national standing

Utah remains one of the most literate states in the country, with an average of 9% illiterate compared to the national average of 14.7%. Literacy rates often reflect the quality of a state’s education system, which can have a notable impact on long-term success. However, there are nuances to the ways the scores are presented. The National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) is a standardized assessment for fourth and eighth-graders that tests reading ability. Katherine O’Donnell, an assistant professor in the Educational Psychology department’s Literacy, Language and Learning program, explained the potential flaws in NAEP’s data. “Utah tends to score higher in the U.S., which is great, but the struggle is that it doesn’t necessarily mean that we are hitting really high benchmarks,” O’Donnell said.

“So it’s not like we’re having 75% of our students reading at proficient or above [standard levels]; it just means that we are doing better than other states.” Less than half of Utah children in grades 1-3 were reading at the expected grade level during the 2022-2023 school year. According to NAEP, the average score in the eighth grade had lowered by four points between 2022 and 2024. Additionally, 36% of Utah’s fourth graders are reading at or above the proficient level. If the updated Nation’s Report Card was an individual student’s report card, a “Parent-Teacher Conference Requested” comment would likely be in order. The National Assessment of Education Progress, or NAEP — aka “the Nation’s Report Card” — is reporting declining scores for the nation’s eighth graders in science and 12th graders in math and reading.

The updated 2024 results, released Tuesday by the National Center for Education Statistics, or NCES, are the first post-pandemic NAEP scores for each assessment. “These results are sobering,” NCES acting Commissioner Matthew Soldner said in an NAEP news release. “The drop in overall scores coincides with significant declines in achievement among our lowest-performing students, continuing a downward trend that began even before the COVID-19 pandemic. “Among our nation’s high school seniors, we’re now seeing a larger percentage of students scoring below the NAEP Basic achievement level in mathematics and reading than in any previous assessment.” During the 2022-23 school year, less than half of Utah students in grades 1-3 were reading at their expected grade level, according to a report from the Utah State Board of Education. Following such reports, educators and parents across the state have begun to express concern.

Utah isn’t alone in its struggles with early literacy rates. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 66% of students in grades 1-3 nationwide are also not meeting the reading level for their grade. “When we start looking across the country of American students reading at grade level, Utah is not an anomaly. As shocking as that number may feel, it’s important to mention the context — that it doesn’t represent outlier performance for students in Utah schools versus their peers in other states,” said Darin Nielsen,... One study from the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology suggests that early reading ability provides students with advantages later in their educational career, including better grades, greater interest in school, and higher overall levels... Such findings are deemed troubling when so few early education students in the state are meeting the literacy milestones for their grade.

And with literacy scores suffering, questions are being raised about how children are being taught throughout the entire education system in Utah. New student performance data is raising alarm bells nationally and Utah is no exception. Two years ago Utah was heralded as a bright spot in the Nation’s Report Card following the pandemic. The latest numbers now show stagnant scores and a drop in eighth grade reading. “The drop in eighth grade reading scores is part of a broader national trend,” said Sydnee Dickson, the Utah state superintendent of public instruction, in a statement. “More children are falling below the proficient level, underscoring the critical need to double down on effective reading interventions and support for our students.”

The National Assessment of Educational Progress is the country’s largest nationally representative test of student performance. Math and reading tests are given every two years to a sample of fourth and eighth grade students. About 2,000 Utah students took the test in 2024, according to the Utah State Board of Education. Eighth grade reading scores fell by four points compared to 2022. And there were no significant changes in eighth grade math or fourth grade reading and math scores. Overall, the scores were lower than in 2019.

Still, Utah students outperformed the national averages in all four areas. That has often been the case over the last couple of decades. Utah Literacy Rates Reveal Gaps Despite National Standing. Less than half of Utah children in grades 1-3 were reading at the expected grade level during the 2022-2023 school year. According to NAEP, the average score in the eighth grade had lowered by four points between 2022 and 2024. Learn more in this article from the Daily Utah Chronicle: https://lnkd.in/gKsxsUVH #theliteracyproject

As of the most recent data available, the literacy rate in Utah is approximately 91.2%. This signifies that a vast majority of the adult population in Utah possesses basic literacy skills, which includes the ability to read, write, comprehend, and communicate effectively in various contexts. However, it is crucial to recognize that literacy encompasses a wide range of skills beyond just basic reading and writing, such as information literacy, digital literacy, and critical literacy. Therefore, efforts should continue to be made to support and improve literacy rates in Utah through initiatives that focus on education, access to resources, and community engagement. 1. Utah’s literacy rate is generally in line with national averages.

According to data from the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL), Utah has a literacy rate that is on par with the national average. The NAAL assesses the literacy skills of adults in various domains, including prose literacy, document literacy, and quantitative literacy. Utah’s performance in these assessments shows that its adult population has literacy levels that are similar to those of the overall U.S. population. This suggests that Utah residents have similar abilities to understand and use written information as adults in other states across the country. 2.

Additionally, Utah has made efforts to improve literacy among its population through various programs and initiatives. The state has focused on promoting literacy skills in schools, adult education programs, and community-based initiatives to ensure that residents have the necessary skills to succeed in the workforce and in their daily lives. While there may be slight variations in literacy rates between Utah and the national average, overall, the state’s commitment to literacy development has helped maintain literacy levels that are comparable to the rest of... In Utah, several initiatives and programs are in place to address literacy issues across the state. 1. The Utah State Board of Education has implemented the Early Grade Reading Initiative, which focuses on improving reading proficiency among students in grades K-3.

This initiative includes professional development for teachers, targeted interventions for struggling readers, and assessments to monitor progress and inform instruction.2. The Utah State Library Division administers the Utah State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, which provides accessible library services and materials for individuals with print disabilities. This program ensures that individuals who are visually impaired or have other print disabilities have access to a wide range of reading materials.3. The Read Today program, run by the Deseret News newspaper in partnership with various community organizations, promotes literacy and encourages reading among children in Utah. The program includes the Read Today Summer Challenge, which aims to prevent the “summer slide” by incentivizing students to read during the summer months.Overall, these initiatives and programs in Utah play a crucial role... Literacy instruction is a crucial component of Utah’s education system, and it is integrated across various levels to ensure students develop strong reading and writing skills.

Here are some key ways literacy instruction is integrated:1. Early literacy programs: Utah has a strong focus on early literacy, with initiatives such as the Early Literacy Program and the Read With a Child program aimed at promoting literacy skills from a young... Literacy standards: Utah follows the Utah Core Standards for English Language Arts, which outline the reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language skills that students are expected to master at each grade level.3. Professional development: Teachers in Utah receive ongoing professional development in literacy instruction to stay current with best practices and research-based strategies. This helps ensure that students receive high-quality instruction.4. Assessment: Literacy skills are assessed at various points throughout a student’s education through standardized tests, such as the RISE assessment, to monitor progress and proficiency levels.Overall, Utah’s education system places a strong emphasis on...

The most common barriers to literacy development in Utah include:1. Socioeconomic Factors: Low-income families may lack access to books and educational resources, which can hinder literacy development in children. Additionally, parents who struggle with literacy themselves may have difficulty supporting their children’s reading skills.2. Limited Access to Quality Education: Some areas in Utah may lack sufficient educational resources, including well-trained teachers and up-to-date instructional materials. This can impact students’ ability to develop strong literacy skills.3. Language Barriers: Utah has a diverse population with individuals who may speak languages other than English at home.

Limited English proficiency can be a barrier to literacy development for both children and adults.4. Learning Disabilities: Individuals with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, may face challenges in acquiring literacy skills. Identifying and addressing these disabilities early can help mitigate their impact on literacy development.5. Lack of Parental Involvement: Parents play a crucial role in fostering literacy development in their children. Lack of involvement or support at home can impede children’s progress in reading and writing.Overall, addressing these common barriers to literacy development in Utah requires a comprehensive approach involving collaboration between schools, community organizations,... Kentucky’s junior U.S.

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Every two years, the national assessment is provided to a sample of students in fourth and eighth grade, allowing for comparisons across states. It is separate from Utah’s standardized exams. The latest results also indicate that while Utah students have made some progress, proficiency rates in both grades and subjects have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. SALT LAKE CITY — Educators say reading is the foundation for learning — and in Utah, they stress it's the key to future opportunities. "In a lot of these situations, these children come from homes where parents work multiple jobs. Money is really tight.

Utah Literacy Rates Reveal Gaps Despite National Standing

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