The Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System (NSWERS) has published a new data brief examining the relationship between early reading proficiency and key academic milestones for Nebraska students, including high school graduation and college enrollment. The report, based on historical data from the Nebraska State Accountability-Reading (NeSA-R) test, underscores the long-term impact of third grade reading skills on students’ educational success.
The brief shows that Nebraska third graders who struggle with reading are significantly less likely to graduate high school on time and pursue higher education. However, the findings also demonstrate that students who receive the right support can make substantial academic progress, even if they start below reading standards.
“This data brief highlights the critical role early reading proficiency plays in shaping students’ long-term educational outcomes,” said Dr. Matthew Hastings, Executive Director of NSWERS. “It also provides encouraging evidence that even students who begin behind can catch up and succeed with the proper interventions and support.”
KEY FINDINGS:
- High School Graduation and College Enrollment: Nebraska students who exceed third grade reading standards graduate high school on time at a rate of 97% and attend college at a rate of 86%. In contrast, students who are below state reading standards graduate on time at 79% and attend college at just 53%.
- Progress for Struggling Readers: Among students who are below third grade reading standards, 58% achieve reading proficiency by seventh grade, illustrating that with the right support, significant academic gains are possible.
- Consistency Matters: Students who consistently perform well in reading from third grade onward are more likely to go to college, with 88% of those exceeding state standards in both third and seventh grades enrolling in higher education.
The data brief offers insights for educators, parents, and policymakers as they work to support Nebraska’s students in achieving better outcomes in reading and education.
To view the full data brief, visit: https://insights.nswers.org/briefs/nswers-early-reading-brief-2024.pdf.