In 18 countries, most students reached only the baseline reading level. A baseline reading level indicates that the student is capable of reading well enough to participate “effectively and productively” in life.
Students who do not reach the baseline level struggle with accessing and understanding basic information. Among OECD countries, an average of nearly 20 percent of students do not reach the baseline reading level. In four participating countries and economies, the number of students performing below baseline is as low as 10 percent – but in 10 countries, a majority do not reach that level.
Among 16 participants, fewer than 1 percent of students reach the highest reading level. The average percentage of students at the highest level is 7.6 percent. In Shanghai, Singapore, and New Zealand, the average is double that number.
The average reading score among OECD countries was 493. The US scored 500.
