Early literacy skills are critical to a successful school experience. Third grade is considered an important milestone in a student's career in terms of reading proficiency and is correlated to whether a student will graduate high school.

In 2023, 32% of 3rd graders were proficient on the state exam, 6 points below the level in 2019, prior to the Covid pandemic. Females slightly outperformed males, with 34% of females achieving proficiency, compared to 31% of males. Economically disadvantaged students had a lower proficiency rate at 24%.

In addition, there were racial and ethnic disparities in proficiency, with 18% of Black/African American students, 24% of Hispanic or Latino students, 39% of white students and 50% of Asian students achieving proficiency in 2023. All rates were lower than in 2022.

Jessieville School District had the highest proficiency rate at 58%, while a few districts had rates in the single digits. In Springdale and Little Rock, the state's two largest districts, 27% of 3rd graders were proficient.

Studies point to a variety of factors believed to contribute to disparities in test scores and other measures of student achievement. School systems in the United States are highly segregated, and students of color disproportionately attend schools with high proportions of low-income students who may not have benefited from early learning opportunities at the same rate as other students. Schools also have different levels of resources ranging from qualified/experienced teachers to advanced courses to facilities and technology, and schools with large Black and Latino populations often have lower levels. In addition, teachers across all school systems tend to be disproportionately white, and teaching practices and curriculum may not be culturally relevant to students of color.

As assessments vary among states, it is not possible to include comparable data for the nation or other areas in this indicator. Economically disadvantaged students are those who are eligible to receive free or reduced price lunches. Results for prior years are not comparable as the state adjusted the test.