Table CRT7.1 shows the Palau distribution of grade seven reading scores against the PILNA reading proficiency scale (Figure CRF7.9). This scale converts a student’s reading performance into a level ranking from zero to eight. The expected minimum reading performance for grade seven students is proficiency level five, see Figure CRF7.9. Pacific stakeholders expect these students to reach or exceed this proficiency level.

The average performance of grade seven students in Palau in reading was 604.45 (SD = 59.19). This corresponds to proficiency level eight on the PILNA reading proficiency scale (level eight is assigned to scores above 587.5). On average, grade seven students in Palau are exceeding the minimum expected standard in reading.

The average reading score does not tell us the whole story. The proportion of students who are meeting the minimum expected standard is also important. This is shown in Table CRT7.1. Approximately 96% of grade seven students in Palau were performing at or above the minimum expected level in reading (levels 5–8). Only about 4% did not meet this level (levels 0–4). This shows that almost all grade seven students assessed in 2021 are meeting the minimum expected standard. Also shown in Figure 4.19, is the large proportion of grade seven students who scored at level seven (23%) and level eight (65%). Most students are performing at the highest level of the reading proficiency scale.

Palau is performing well in reading, not only against the PILNA proficiency level benchmarks, but also against the regional and Small Island States performance in PILNA 2021. On average, grade seven students in Palau (605) are scoring higher in reading than students with similar levels of education in the region (492). Further, a higher proportion of grade seven students (96%) met or exceeded the expected minimum reading proficiency levels in Palau compared with students with similar levels of education across the region (53%) and in Small Island States (73%).