Table CNT4.1 shows the distribution of year four overall numeracy scores in Solomon Islands 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 four students is proficiency level three. Pacific stakeholders expect these students to reach or exceed this proficiency level.

The average overall numeracy score for year four students in Solomon Islands in 2021 was 529.73 (SD = 53.83). This corresponds to proficiency level six in the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale (level six is assigned to scores 525–550). On average, year four students in Solomon Islands are exceeding the minimum expected standard in numeracy (Figure CNF4.7).

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 93% of the year four students in Solomon Islands performed at or above this expected level (levels 3–8) in PILNA 2021. Only about 7% of students performed below the expected proficiency level (levels 0–2). Most of the year four students are meeting the minimum expected level for numeracy.

On average, year four students in Solomon Islands (529.73) are scoring substantially higher in numeracy than year four students in the region (478.91). Also, the proportion of year four students in Solomon Islands who are meeting the minimum expected proficiency level for numeracy (93%) is higher than the proportion of year four students across the region (67%).

When looking at the Solomon Islands distribution of year four numeracy proficiency scores in 2021 by gender (Table CNT4.3), no differences can be seen. Approximately 94% of girls performed at or above the minimum expected proficiency level (levels 3–8) compared to approximately 93% of boys. The proportions of girls and boys achieving each level of proficiency on the numeracy proficiency scale were similar.

Table CNT4.4 shows the proportion of Solomon Islands year four students meeting the overall numeracy standard over time. As seen in Figure CNF4.8, a relatively consistent proportion of year four students met the minimum expected level of overall numeracy performance in 2021 compared with previous PILNA cycles (2012 = 92%, 2015 = 97%, 2018 = 97%, 2021 = 93%). The proportion in 2021 (93%) is slightly lower than in 2018 and 2015 (97%), but not by much.