Table CRT6.1 shows the Tokelau distribution of year six reading scores against the PILNA reading proficiency scale. This scale converts a student’s reading performance into a level ranking from zero to eight. The expected minimum reading performance for year six students is proficiency level five. Pacific stakeholders expect these students to reach or exceed this proficiency level.

The average performance of year six students in Tokelau in reading was 541.71 (SD = 51.41). This corresponds to proficiency level seven on the PILNA reading proficiency scale (level seven is assigned to scores 537.5-587.5). On average, year six students in Tokelau 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 CRT6.2 Approximately 85% of year six students in Tokelau were performing at or above the minimum expected level in reading (levels 5–8) and about 15% of year six students in Tokelau did not meet this level (levels 0–4). Also shown in Table CRT6.2, is the significant proportion of year six students who scored at level seven (39%), the second highest level on the reading scale.

On average, year six students in Tokelau (542) are scoring higher in reading than year six students in the region (492). Also, about 85% of year six students met or exceeded the expected minimum reading proficiency levels in Tokelau compared with 53% across the region and 73% in Small Island States.