The release of annual state test scores earlier this week at the State Board of Education generated a lot of smiles. Highlights included:
Graduation Rates. Data revealed record high graduation rates. The four-year graduation rate rose to 88.8 percent; up from 87.8 percent last year. A new high.
EOG and EOC. All Subject and all grade composite scores for end of grade (EOG) and end-of course proficiency assessments rose to 59.2 percent of students, the highest rate of the past three years.
Math and Reading Proficiency. The percentage of students designated as grade level proficient (Receiving a score of 3,4 or 5 on EOG or EOC exams was also the highest it’s been in three years for 14 of 15 reading and mathematics tests. Results for all race and ethnic groups were also the highest they have been in three years.
College and Career Ready. The percentage of students receiving the designation of College and Career ready – students who receive a designation of 4 or 5 on EOG and EOC exams, also improved to 37.5 percent, up from 34.7 percent from the year before. Overall, College and Career Ready test results improved for 16 of 198 total tests. The only ones that were not the highest were reading scores for grades 3 and 4.
ACT Scores. The average ACT composite score increased to 18.4 with 55 percent of students achieving a score of 17 or higher, the minimum score for admission to the University of North Carolina System. This year’s scores also include a one-time technical correction that increased scores.
School Performance Grades. School Performance Grades continue to improve, with more schools earning an A, B, or C and fewer receiving D or F ratings. The percentage of schools receiving a D or F grade, dropped to 23 percent in 2025-26, down 8 percentage points from the previous year. In addition, 162 fewer schools were designated “low performing” as compared to the previous year and 100 fewer schools were designated “continually low performing” over the same period. Ten districts were designated low performing in 2025-26, 13 fewer than the previous year and the fewest since the pre-covid year of 2018-19.
T his is all good news and we should celebrate. However, let’s not obsess over the numbers and lose sight of the big picture. The truth be told, we’re measuring ourselves against our low covid era scores. We shouldn’t forget that 40 percent of North Carolina students still aren’t grade-level proficient, 45 percent of students who take the ACT fail to qualify for admission at the UNC System and achievement gaps remain as intractable as ever. Yes, the results are good news. It will be even better news when we learn our students are besting a higher standard such as pre-covid results.
Until then, congratulations — and let’s keep on working.
