Figure CRF7.2 shows the average reading scores for this group and for grade seven students in Palau in previous PILNA cycles. The average reading score in 2021 was slightly lower than in 2018 but higher than in 2015. The standard deviation for average grade seven reading scores in 2021 (SD = 59.19) was about the same as in 2018 (SD = 59.87) and higher than 2015 (SD = 37.50). This shows that the spread of grade seven reading scores in PILNA 2021 was about the same as 2018 but wider than in 2015.

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.