Figure CWF5.2 shows the average writing scores for this group and for grade five students in Palau in previous PILNA cycles. The average score for these students in 2021 (515.31 (SD = 34.83) was slightly higher than in 2015 (508.71, SD = 67.27) but slightly lower than in 2018 (525.25, SD = 63.96). The standard deviation for the scores in 2021 (34.83) was lower than in 2015 (67.27) and 2018 (63.96). This shows that the spread of the scores in 2021 was narrower than in previous PILNA cycles.

Standard deviation shows how close data points are to the average. A lower standard deviation means that data points are, overall, closer to the average; a higher standard deviation means that data points are, overall, further away from the average.