Table CNT6.1 shows the Small Island States distribution of year six overall numeracy scores against the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale. This scale converts a student’s overall numeracy score into a level ranking from zero to eight. The expected minimum overall numeracy performance for year six students is proficiency level five. Pacific stakeholders expect these students to reach or exceed this proficiency level.

The average overall numeracy score for year six students in Small Island States in 2021 was 538.21 (SD = 71.79). This corresponds to proficiency level six in the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale (level six is assigned to scores 525–550). On average, year six students in Small Island States are achieving above 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 73% of students, nearly three out of four, performed at or above this expected level (levels 5–8), while approximately 27% of students, more than one in four, performed below the expected proficiency level (levels 0–4). In other words, most year six students are meeting the minimum expected level for numeracy, but there is a significant proportion who are yet to meet it.

Year six students in Small Island States are performing slightly higher in numeracy than those in the region. The average numeracy score in Small Island States was 538 while the regional average was 531. However, a similar proportion of students in Small Island States are meeting the expected proficiency level in numeracy (73%) as in the region (72%).