Table CNT5.1 shows the distribution of grade five overall numeracy scores in Palau against the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale in Figure CNF5.7. This scale converts a student’s overall numeracy score into a level ranking from zero to eight. The expected minimum overall numeracy performance for grade five students is proficiency level three. Pacific stakeholders expect these students to reach or exceed this proficiency level.

The average overall numeracy score for grade five students in Palau in 2021 was 567.05 (SD = 57.34). This corresponds to proficiency level seven in the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale (level seven is assigned to scores 550–575). On average, grade five students in Palau are exceeding the minimum expected standard in numeracy.

The average numeracy score does not tell us the whole story. The proportion of students who are meeting the minimum expected standard is also important. Approximately 98% of the grade five students in Palau performed at or above this expected level (levels 3–8) in PILNA 2021. Only about 2% of the students performed below it (levels 0–2). In other words, the overwhelming majority of grade five students are meeting the minimum expected level for numeracy.

Table CNT5.2 compares the performance of grade five students for numeracy in Palau, against that in Small Island States and the region. On average, grade five students in Palau (567.05) scored higher in numeracy than did students in the region from similar year levels – four years of formal schooling (478.91). Further, the proportion (98%) of grade five students in Palau who are meeting the minimum expected proficiency level for numeracy is substantially higher than proportion of similar students across the region (67%) and in Small Island States (63%).

When looking at the Palau distribution of grade five numeracy proficiency scores in 2021 by gender (Table CNT5.3), similar proportions of girls and boys met the minimum expected standard. Approximately 97% of girls performed at or above the minimum expected proficiency level (levels 3–8) compared to approximately 98% of boys. However, a slightly higher proportion of girls achieved level eight (46.77%), the highest proficiency level, than boys (41.94%).