Eighth-Grade Math
In 2024, the share of Maine 8th graders who were proficient in mathematics rose 1 percentage point to 25% but remained below national standards.
No significant movement since the last available data
Benchmark: The percentage of Maine students scoring proficient and above on NAEP will reach 50% by 2030.
Overview
In 2024, 1 in 4 Maine 8th graders (25%) met the math proficiency benchmark of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). This was an increase from 24% in 2022, but below the national average of 27%. By this measure, Maine ranked 31st lowest of the 50 states. Before COVID, Maine ranked at or above the national average. In 2024, 1,900 Maine 8th graders took the NAEP assessment.
Eighth-grade math scores reflect foundational skills and indicate whether students are on track for college and career readiness. Math is a cornerstone of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines, which can lead to in-demand job skills and well-paid careers in growing fields. Math addresses knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and accurately gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions.
Eighth-grade math proficiency is defined as solid academic performance and competency over challenging subject matter, application to real-world problems, and appropriate analytical skills. The NAEP tests representative samples of fourth and eighth graders every other year to allow national and state comparisons.
Fig. A
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Percentage of 8th Graders Scoring Proficient or Above in Math
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP); New England average is unweighted.