Figure CRF5.2 shows the average reading scores for this group and for grade five students in Palau in previous PILNA cycles. The scores in 2021 were about the same as in 2018 and higher than 2015. The standard deviation for the scores in 2021 was higher than in 2015, but similar to 2018. This means that the spread of grade five overall reading scores in 2021 was wider than in 2015 but similar to 2018.

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.