84 The Condition of Education 1997

Achievement, Attainment, and Curriculum

Reading and writing habits of students

Research has shown that reading ability is positively correlated with the extent to which students

read recreationally. Educators are increasingly encouraging their students to read and write

on their own, outside of school. Changes in the frequency with which students read and write

independently, as well as in the types of materials students read and write, indicate the degree

to which recreation activities related to education are supported outside of the classroom.

n Independent reading and writing habits of students have remained relatively stable across all age

groups since 1984, with a few exceptions. For example, although the percentage of students

writing letters, notes, or messages has remained

nearly constant over the years, more 8th-graders

in 1994 reported writing stories outside of school

at least once a week than in 1984. Also, between

1984 and 1994, the percentage of 8th- and 11th-grade

students who reported keeping a diary or journal

increased.

n Between 1984 and 1994, a greater percentage of 9-

year-olds than 13- and 17-year-olds reported

reading for fun almost every day. In addition, 4th

-

grade students were more likely than 8th- or

11th-grade students to report that they wrote stories outside of class at least once a week.

n In 1994, 9-, 13-, and 17-year-old students who reported reading for fun at least once a week had

higher average reading proficiency scores than

students who reported never or hardly ever reading for fun (see supplemental table 17-1).

n In 1994, the types of materials students read both

at home and at school varied. For all ages, students

reported having most recently read a science,

social studies, or mathematics book in school than

at home, while they reported most recently

reading magazines more at home than in school.

Nine-year-olds and 13-year-olds reported having

most recently read stories more at home, while 17-

year-olds reported reading stories more at school

(see supplemental tables 17-2 and 17-3).

Percentage of students who read for fun, by frequency and age: Selected years 1984–94

Percentage of students who wrote outside of class at least once a week, by writing habit and grade:

Selected years 1984–94

— Not available. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for

Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress,

Almanac: Reading 1984 to 1994, and Writing 1984 to 1994, 1996.

Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

Frequency 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Almost every day 53.3 54.1 54.0 56.2 57.6 35.1 36.0 35.2 37.0 31.9 30.8 28.1 31.1 26.7 29.7

1–2 times a week 27.7 26.1 25.2 28.0 25.1 35.1 31.3 31.9 32.4 32.4 33.5 32.1 31.4 32.9 31.4

1–2 times a month 7.1 6.9 5.7 5.8 5.3 14.2 15.3 13.4 12.8 13.9 16.7 20.8 15.5 17.8 15.3

Few times a year 3.0 3.8 3.5 3.2 3.0 7.2 7.7 8.8 8.4 9.9 10.3 10.1 11.8 11.9 11.9

Never/hardly ever 8.9 9.1 11.6 6.8 9.0 8.5 9.7 10.8 9.5 11.8 8.7 8.9 10.2 10.7 11.7

Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

Writing habit 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Keep a diary/journal — — — — — 25.9 28.6 30.9 29.8 32.8 19.0 22.2 21.3 22.5 27.0

Write for school paper — — — — — 8.0 8.1 9.2 11.1 10.2 5.3 4.8 7.1 5.7 8.5

Write letters to relatives 32.5 32.3 36.5 33.6 34.9 37.3 41.9 47.2 45.8 45.1 36.2 43.9 38.5 38.0 38.1

Write notes or messages 43.7 44.7 45.9 45.4 43.9 67.9 70.8 73.5 72.5 71.5 73.7 81.5 78.2 78.9 77.2

Write stories 25.9 24.2 25.6 28.8 25.5 10.2 15.3 14.3 16.8 18.0 11.7 15.3 14.2 15.8 15.9
The Condition of Education 1997

1 Defined as the most recent type of material read.

2 In 1994, the percentages of students aged 13 and 17 who read 

mathematics books at home were less than 1.0, and therefore the 

percentages are not discernable in the graph.

Reading and writing habits of students

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for 

Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress, 

Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994, and Writing, 1984 to 1994, 1996.

Indicator 17

85

Percentage of students who read various types of materials1

at home, by type of material and age: 1994

NewspaperMagazineStory/

novel

Science

book

Mathematics2

book

0

10

20

30

40

50

0

10

20

30

40

50

Percent

Age 9

Age 13

Age 17

Percentage of students who read various types of materials1

at school, by type of material and age: 1994

Newspaper/

magazine

Story/

novel

Science

book

Mathematics

book

0

10

20

30

40

50

0

10

20

30

40

50

Percent

Age 9

Age 13

Age 17

Percentage of students who read for fun almost every day, 

by age: Selected years 1984–94

1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Year

Percent

Age 9

Age 13

Age 17

Grade 4

Grade 8

Grade 11

Percentage of students who wrote stories outside of class at least once a week,

by grade: Selected years 1984–94

1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Year

Percent

Grade 4

Grade 8

Grade 11
Percentage of students who read for fun, by frequency and age: Selected 

years 1984–94

Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

Frequency 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Almost every day 53.3 54.1 54.0 56.2 57.6 35.1 36.0 35.2 37.0 31.9 30.8 28.1 31.1 26.7 29.7

1–2 times a week 27.7 26.1 25.2 28.0 25.1 35.1 31.3 31.9 32.4 32.4 33.5 32.1 31.4 32.9 31.4

1–2 times a month 7.1 6.9 5.7 5.8 5.3 14.2 15.3 13.4 12.8 13.9 16.7 20.8 15.5 17.8 15.3

Few times a year 3.0 3.8 3.5 3.2 3.0 7.2 7.7 8.8 8.4 9.9 10.3 10.1 11.8 11.9 11.9

Never/hardly ever 8.9 9.1 11.6 6.8 9.0 8.5 9.7 10.8 9.5 11.8 8.7 8.9 10.2 10.7 11.7

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading 1984 to 1994, and Writing 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Percentage of students who wrote outside of class at least once a week, 

by writing habit and grade: Selected years 1984–94

Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

Writing habit 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Keep a diary/journal — — — — — 25.9 28.6 30.9 29.8 32.8 19.0 22.2 21.3 22.5 27.0

Write for school paper — — — — — 8.0 8.1 9.2 11.1 10.2 5.3 4.8 7.1 5.7 8.5

Write letters to relatives 32.5 32.3 36.5 33.6 34.9 37.3 41.9 47.2 45.8 45.1 36.2 43.9 38.5 38.0 38.1

Write notes or messages 43.7 44.7 45.9 45.4 43.9 67.9 70.8 73.5 72.5 71.5 73.7 81.5 78.2 78.9 77.2

Write stories 25.9 24.2 25.6 28.8 25.5 10.2 15.3 14.3 16.8 18.0 11.7 15.3 14.2 15.8 15.9

— Not available.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading 1984 to 1994, and Writing 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table 17-1 Average reading proficiency scores of students who read for fun, by frequency 

and age: Selected years 1984–94

Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

Frequency 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Almost every day 214 213 215 215 215 264 266 269 269 272 297 296 304 304 302

1–2 times a week 212 212 211 212 214 255 260 255 260 255 290 284 294 291 286

1–2 times a month 204 201 210 204 213 255 257 251 257 255 290 285 288 287 286

Few times a year 197 200 198 197 193 252 248 245 250 252 280 274 280 282 281

Never/hardly ever 198 198 192 189 193 239 241 247 246 237 269 277 266 268 258

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table 17-2 Percentage of students assigned various types of writing during the previous 

week, by English class assignment and grade: Selected years 1984–94

English class Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

assignment 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Story 37.2 43.3 42.9 46.7 46.3 41.5 48.9 48.9 51.4 52.4 39.7 39.7 39.4 41.4 41.4

Essay 19.3 25.1 24.2 25.2 24.9 41.0 48.4 45.0 48.5 54.4 59.6 63.6 63.5 64.4 69.0

Poem 25.7 29.7 27.0 26.4 26.6 14.7 14.7 17.3 19.5 20.1 18.3 20.9 25.4 23.8 27.3

Play 13.9 15.6 14.1 15.1 14.2 10.4 12.2 11.7 11.8 13.8 12.6 11.3 14.1 11.5 12.9

Letter 38.5 38.7 42.5 38.8 39.3 20.8 25.3 24.4 26.9 29.3 15.9 19.6 18.2 19.3 21.6

Book report 36.1 40.5 38.2 37.8 38.1 35.4 34.8 33.9 33.7 35.0 30.4 30.7 28.2 28.4 28.1

Other reports 28.3 32.0 30.6 33.0 33.3 26.5 29.4 29.5 30.8 36.1 37.7 38.4 38.7 42.2 42.7

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Writing, 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table 17-3 Percentage of students who reported most recently having read various types 

of materials at school and at home, by type of material and age: Selected years 1984–94

Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

Type of material 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

At school

Newspaper

 or magazine 4.3 4.5 4.4 5.3 5.5 4.8 4.0 5.6 5.2 5.2 6.4 6.1 6.2 6.4 6.4

Play 1.9 1.8 2.5 1.8 1.5 1.9 2.7 2.4 2.4 2.4 5.9 8.8 6.3 6.7 6.8

Poem 2.9 2.6 2.9 3.5 3.7 1.2 1.4 1.2 1.6 1.1 4.1 4.7 4.4 4.6 5.4

Story/novel 16.9 18.1 19.6 23.7 27.5 22.5 27.9 26.6 28.7 32.2 39.7 40.1 41.1 42.6 41.1

Science book 17.3 18.8 16.3 16.8 16.5 21.3 20.2 22.3 18.4 18.7 11.5 12.1 12.3 12.6 12.6

Social studies book 20.5 22.8 20.3 18.1 14.8 25.6 24.2 22.1 22.3 18.8 15.7 13.1 14.5 14.0 13.4

Mathematics book 17.5 15.3 16.6 15.2 14.6 16.2 14.8 15.2 16.3 16.8 11.1 11.1 11.5 10.4 10.7

Workbook 18.8 16.2 17.5 15.6 16.0 6.5 4.9 4.7 5.0 4.7 5.6 4.0 3.8 2.8 3.5

At home

Newspaper 8.9 7.0 5.7 6.1 5.5 16.3 12.7 11.8 12.3 11.5 25.7 23.5 23.1 24.9 20.7

Magazine 17.4 15.4 17.4 17.0 19.9 31.1 36.2 37.1 35.2 35.6 36.6 39.9 38.4 38.1 38.9

Play 3.2 2.8 2.6 2.4 1.6 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.2 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.8

Poem 5.8 4.3 5.5 6.4 5.1 1.3 1.8 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.7 2.2 2.3 2.7 2.5

Story/novel 36.5 37.6 37.2 42.9 39.4 39.0 36.9 36.9 40.8 40.5 29.3 27.3 28.4 26.7 30.3

Science book 3.8 4.8 3.8 3.7 3.3 1.6 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.1 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.9

Social studies book 3.3 3.1 3.2 2.8 2.2 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.0 1.1 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.3

Mathematics book 3.6 3.5 2.9 3.2 2.7 1.3 0.7 0.9 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.3

Workbook 4.4 3.4 2.8 2.9 3.4 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3

Something else 13.0 18.0 19.0 12.5 16.9 6.4 7.6 7.3 5.4 6.5 3.6 4.5 5.1 4.2 4.9

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table 17-4 Percentage of students who reported reading various amounts per day in school 

and for homework, by pages read and age: Selected years 1984–94

Pages Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

read 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

More than 20 12.9 15.5 14.4 18.7 17.3 10.5 12.6 11.3 14.4 14.2 20.3 20.8 20.2 22.3 23.2

16–20 13.3 13.5 12.9 13.6 14.4 10.9 12.6 11.1 12.8 12.6 14.4 13.9 13.6 13.7 13.3

11–15 13.9 15.0 13.7 13.5 14.4 17.5 17.8 16.3 18.8 16.6 18.0 18.4 18.0 17.3 17.6

6–10 24.9 28.1 25.1 25.1 25.7 34.6 32.9 34.4 31.1 31.1 26.2 25.5 25.6 26.5 25.3

5 or fewer 35.1 27.7 33.8 29.0 28.3 26.5 24.1 27.0 22.9 25.5 21.1 21.3 22.6 20.3 20.7

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table 17-5 Percentage of students who wrote outside of class at least once a week,

by writing habit and grade: Selected years 1984–94

Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

Writing habit 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Keep a diary

 or journal — — — — — 25.9 28.6 30.9 29.8 32.8 19.0 22.2 21.3 22.5 27.0

Do crossword

 puzzle — — — — — 38.0 39.1 42.3 40.7 39.3 29.5 21.1 22.6 21.7 23.7

Write for school

 newspaper — — — — — 8.0 8.1 9.2 11.1 10.2 5.3 4.8 7.1 5.7 8.5

Help others

 with writing — — — — — 29.3 30.7 31.5 31.7 32.0 28.3 24.4 25.7 27.3 27.3

Write letters

 to relatives 32.5 32.3 36.5 33.6 34.9 37.3 41.9 47.2 45.8 45.1 36.2 43.9 38.5 38.0 38.1

Write notes

 or messages 43.7 44.7 45.9 45.4 43.9 67.9 70.8 73.5 72.5 71.5 73.7 81.5 78.2 78.9 77.2

Write

 stories 25.9 24.2 25.6 28.8 25.5 10.2 15.3 14.3 16.8 18.0 11.7 15.3 14.2 15.8 15.9

— Not available.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Writing, 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table 17-6 Average writing proficiency of students who wrote on their own away from school,

by writing habit, frequency, and grade: Selected years 1984–94

Writing habit and Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

frequency 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Write stories

 At least once a week 197 202 198 205 199 266 265 260 273 267 290 289 292 286 283

 Once or twice a month 208 214 206 212 213 271 270 263 282 271 293 296 291 290 287

 Never or hardly ever 206 207 205 208 204 266 263 255 274 264 292 291 286 287 284

Keep a diary or journal

 At least once a week — — — — — 270 266 260 279 269 291 297 293 295 289

 Once or twice a month — — — — — 270 270 262 282 268 287 298 290 293 293

 Never or hardly ever — — — — — 266 261 253 269 262 286 288 284 283 281

— Not available.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Writing, 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table 17-7 Percentage of students with various reading habits, by frequency, habit, 

and age: Selected years 1984–94

Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

Takes books Spends own Takes books Spends own Takes books Spends own

Frequency out of library money on books out of library money on books out of library money on books

Almost every day

1984 15.4 8.9 7.1 3.7 2.4 2.8

1988 18.8 10.2 3.1 2.7 1.3 2.0

1990 19.9 10.5 3.3 2.8 1.6 1.6

1992 21.3 10.8 2.3 4.1 1.1 1.5

1994 21.6 14.7 5.9 3.6 1.2 2.0

1–2 times a week

1984 60.2 10.9 34.4 10.2 13.8 7.3

1988 55.1 12.8 32.8 9.3 13.5 6.3

1990 51.8 11.4 33.4 11.4 14.2 9.5

1992 53.8 11.5 33.3 10.8 11.9 5.5

1994 51.6 9.9 29.2 9.3 14.0 6.9

1–2 times a month

1984 12.6 21.6 32.4 24.7 36.6 22.7

1988 12.3 17.3 37.0 23.9 36.2 22.6

1990 12.8 20.0 34.3 25.5 34.7 24.6

1992 12.5 20.6 35.7 25.9 36.1 21.1

1994 12.6 18.7 36.6 26.3 33.1 22.8

Few times a year

1984 4.5 17.0 12.7 25.3 27.9 29.7

1988 5.8 19.5 15.2 25.1 26.0 25.0

1990 5.3 16.3 15.9 21.6 26.9 24.8

1992 4.6 17.3 18.5 22.3 34.0 30.2

1994 5.4 18.3 15.7 20.5 32.9 31.0

Never/hardly ever

1984 7.2 41.6 13.3 36.2 19.3 37.5

1988 8.0 40.1 11.9 39.0 23.0 44.2

1990 10.2 41.9 13.1 38.6 22.5 39.6

1992 7.8 39.8 10.3 36.9 16.9 41.7

1994 8.8 38.4 12.6 40.2 18.8 37.3

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table S17(a) Standard errors for the first text table in Indicator 17

Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

Frequency 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Almost every day 1.0 1.8 1.8 1.2 1.6 1.0 2.4 1.7 2.4 1.8 0.8 1.9 2.1 1.5 2.6

1–2 times a week 0.8 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.5 1.2 2.2 1.7 1.8 2.1 1.1 2.6 2.0 1.5 1.9

1–2 times a month 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.8 1.6 1.3 1.5 1.7 0.5 2.2 1.3 1.4 1.5

Few times a year 0.3 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.5 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.2 0.5 1.1 1.4 1.2 1.5

Never/hardly ever 0.5 0.9 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.6 0.9 1.3 1.5 1.7 0.6 1.6 1.3 1.3 1.4

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994, and Writing, 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table S17(b) Standard errors for the second text table in Indicator 17

Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

Writing habit 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Keep a diary/journal — — — — — 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.1 1.1 1.2

Write for school paper — — — — — 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.3 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 1.2

Write letters to relatives 2.1 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.1 2.0 1.4 1.6 1.7 1.9 1.8 2.0 1.6 1.4 2.0

Write notes or messages 2.4 1.9 1.8 1.5 1.7 2.0 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.3 1.9 1.6 1.1 1.1 1.4

Write stories 1.8 1.7 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.1 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.3

— Not available.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994, and Writing, 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table S17-1 Standard errors for table 17-1

Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

Frequency 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Almost every day 1.1 1.9 2.3 1.6 2.3 1.4 3.1 2.9 2.5 3.2 1.5 4.0 2.9 3.7 4.2

1–2 times a week 1.7 2.8 3.0 2.2 3.1 1.4 3.5 3.6 3.8 3.1 1.7 3.5 3.7 3.7 4.1

1–2 times a month 3.3 7.1 5.5 7.8 5.8 2.1 2.9 4.3 3.2 5.7 1.8 3.6 4.2 4.7 4.5

Few times a year 4.2 8.3 7.2 5.5 7.9 3.6 4.3 4.3 8.2 5.4 2.7 5.4 5.6 5.2 8.2

Never/hardly ever 2.7 3.1 3.5 3.7 3.9 2.5 4.8 5.0 6.4 5.1 2.4 7.2 6.8 5.5 5.2

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994, 1996.
Table S17-2 Standard errors for table 17-2

English class Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

assignment 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Story 2.1 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.6 2.3 1.9 2.2 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.1 1.1 1.2

Essay 1.7 1.9 1.3 1.0 1.1 1.9 2.2 1.7 1.5 1.7 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.4

Poem 1.7 2.2 1.4 1.4 1.9 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.5 1.6 0.9 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.4

Play 1.5 1.8 1.1 0.8 1.1 1.0 1.2 0.8 1.2 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.6 1.0

Letter 1.6 2.2 1.7 1.3 1.9 1.3 2.3 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.6 0.9 1.0 1.2

Book report 1.5 1.5 1.8 1.7 1.5 1.7 2.8 1.8 1.8 2.1 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.4 1.1

Other reports 1.8 1.5 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.5 1.5 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.0 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.0

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Writing, 1984 to 1994, 1996.
Table S17-3 Standard errors for table 17-3

Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

Type of material 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

At school

Newspaper

 or magazine 0.3 0.8 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.6

Play 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.9 0.5 0.4 0.5

Poem 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.7

Story/novel 0.8 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.6 1.1 1.5 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.6 1.2 1.4 1.0

Science book 0.9 1.5 1.0 0.8 1.2 0.8 1.4 1.2 0.8 1.3 0.5 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.7

Social studies book 0.9 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.7 0.9 1.2 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.7 0.9 0.6 0.7 0.7

Mathematics book 0.7 1.2 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.5 0.8 0.8 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.6

Workbook 0.5 0.6 1.1 0.8 1.2 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4

At home

Newspaper 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9

Magazine 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.9 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.2 0.6 1.3 0.8 1.3 1.2

Play 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2

Poem 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4

Story/novel 0.9 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.2 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.4 1.1 0.6 0.9 0.8 1.1 1.0

Science book 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

Social studies book 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Mathematics book 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Workbook 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Something else 0.4 0.7 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994, 1996.
Table S17-4 Standard errors for table 17-4

Pages Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

read 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

More than 20 0.4 1.1 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.4 0.9 0.6 1.1 0.8 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.2 1.5

16–20 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.9 0.2 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.6

11–15 0.5 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.6

6–10 0.5 1.2 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.6 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.9

5 or fewer 1.0 1.7 1.2 1.0 1.4 0.6 1.2 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.1 0.8 1.0 1.2

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994, 1996.
Table S17-5 Standard errors for table 17-5

Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

Writing habit 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Keep a diary

 or journal — — — — — 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.1 1.1 1.2

Do crossword

 puzzle — — — — — 2.6 1.2 1.1 1.8 1.7 1.9 1.3 1.2 1.5 1.4

Write for school

 newspaper — — — — — 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.3 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 1.2

Help others

 with writing — — — — — 1.9 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.5 2.2 1.2 1.3 1.0 1.6

Write letters

 to relatives 2.1 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.1 2.0 1.4 1.6 1.7 1.9 1.8 2.0 1.6 1.4 2.0

Write notes

 or messages 2.4 1.9 1.8 1.5 1.7 2.0 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.3 1.9 1.6 1.1 1.1 1.4

Write

 stories 1.8 1.7 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.1 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.3

— Not available.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Writing, 1984 to 1994, 1996.
Table S17-6 Standard errors for table 17-6

Writing habit and Grade 4 Grade 8 Grade 11

frequency 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994 1984 1988 1990 1992 1994

Write stories

 At least once a week 4.5 2.1 2.8 3.0 2.7 5.7 3.0 3.9 3.6 2.8 3.8 3.0 3.2 3.8 3.2

 Once or twice a month 5.1 5.0 2.6 2.1 2.7 3.8 2.8 3.2 3.3 3.0 3.6 2.2 3.5 2.1 4.1

 Never or hardly ever 2.6 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.6 2.6 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.4 1.6 1.4 1.5

Keep a diary or journal

 At least once a week — — — — — 3.0 2.2 2.2 2.3 3.6 4.3 1.9 2.6 2.0 2.6

 Once or twice a month — — — — — 3.7 2.7 5.1 3.5 3.5 3.9 3.5 3.9 4.8 2.8

 Never or hardly ever — — — — — 2.8 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.1 2.4 1.7 1.6 2.1 1.7

— Not available.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Writing, 1984 to 1994 , 1996.
Table S17-7 Standard errors for table 17-7

Age 9 Age 13 Age 17

Takes books Spends own Takes books Spends own Takes books Spends own

Frequency out of library money on books out of library money on books out of library money on books

Almost every day

1984 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.3

1988 1.5 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.4 0.6

1990 1.3 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.5

1992 1.2 0.7 0.6 1.1 0.4 0.5

1994 1.1 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.5 0.6

1–2 times a week

1984 1.2 0.6 1.2 0.6 0.7 0.6

1988 1.9 0.9 2.2 1.3 1.9 1.1

1990 1.9 1.0 2.1 1.4 1.4 1.4

1992 1.4 0.8 2.3 1.3 1.3 0.9

1994 1.4 0.8 2.3 1.3 1.6 1.2

1–2 times a month

1984 0.8 0.6 1.0 0.9 1.2 1.0

1988 1.1 1.0 2.0 1.6 2.3 1.8

1990 1.0 1.2 1.9 1.7 1.9 2.0

1992 0.9 1.2 2.5 2.2 1.7 1.9

1994 0.9 1.2 2.3 2.0 2.3 1.8

Few times a year

1984 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.8 1.0 0.8

1988 0.7 1.3 1.5 2.0 2.2 1.8

1990 0.6 1.0 1.4 1.5 1.7 2.0

1992 0.5 1.0 1.6 2.1 2.0 2.1

1994 0.7 1.3 1.6 1.5 2.2 2.0

Never/hardly ever

1984 0.6 1.2 0.8 1.2 1.0 1.0

1988 1.2 1.8 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.5

1990 1.1 1.4 1.3 2.2 1.9 2.0

1992 0.7 1.7 1.4 2.4 1.7 2.3

1994 0.9 1.3 1.4 1.9 2.2 2.2

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of 

Educational Progess, Almanac: Reading, 1984 to 1994, 1996.