This chart shows the percent of students considered Proficient or higher on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  It begins in 2003 because prior comparisons are not available for Kansas and Florida (Kansas did not participate in until 2000; Florida participated in 1992 and 1996 but not 2000).  Kansas generally performs above the U.S. average but like most states is still at very low levels of proficiency and has not made much progress.  Florida had some of the worst results in the country until they introduced a wide range of reforms that state education officials credit for their significant progress, particularly in closing achievement gaps among minorities and low income students.  Select comparisons by grade level and demographic group from the drop-down box below the chart.  (Default chart set for 4th Grade All Students).