With a sample size of more than 290,000 students from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the USA, ITEGS is the largest data set of foundational reading and mathematics skills across multiple countries in the 5-9 age range. Its unique value proposition is that it measures early reading fluency in English and basic numeracy. It presents a comparative snapshot across countries during the very critical foundational skill acquisition period.

1. International Test of Early Grade Skills - 2017

2. Executive Summary
With a sample size of more than 290,000 students from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and
the USA, ITEGS is the largest data set of foundational reading and mathematics skills across multiple countries in the 5-9 age
range. Its unique value proposition is that it measures early reading fluency in English and basic numeracy. It presents a
comparative snapshot across countries during the very critical foundational skill acquisition period.
ITEGS grants awards to the countries who achieve the greatest success with their lowest quartile of students. We pay special
attention to the lowest quartile of students, as these represent those at greatest risk of not acquiring the skills needed to fully
participate in society. In 2017, the Reading Skills Award goes to the USA and the Numeracy Skills Award winner is Hong
Kong.
Key Findings
● The United Kingdom and New Zealand experience a significant widening in the gap between higher reading performers
and lower reading performers.
● Hong Kong is approximately three grades ahead in numeracy skills over Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United
Kingdom, and the USA. This gap is apparent from 5.5 years of age.
● Girls’ are approximately three months ahead of boys in reading skills over the 5-9 age range, while boys are between 3
and 6 months ahead of girls in numeracy skills over the period. This trend is consistent across countries.
● Reading performance shows a high degree of correlation with numeracy performance. There is some evidence of
divergence in the upper quartile, where evidence suggests students start to have a stronger leaning towards either reading
or numeracy.

3. The International Test of Early Grade Skills (ITEGS) is the largest data set of foundational reading and
mathematics skills across multiple countries in the 5 to 9 age range. It contains data from more than 290,000
students from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the USA. ITEGS is
brought to you by the research team at Skoolbo - a global learning platform with outreach to over 50,000
schools across the world with secondary analysis by the Center for Educational Innovation and Digital Learning
at Lamar University.
ITEGS is unique in that it measures early reading fluency in English and basic numeracy. The tests are
administered across the Skoolbo learning platform in a relaxed, game-like environment. All students receive
the same tests, and the results are comparable across age groups and educational jurisdictions.
ITEGS presents comparisons across countries during the foundational skill acquisition period (ages 5 to 9). It
does not propose reasons as to why those differences may exist. It allows for granular analysis across this age
group. The data enables each country to examine the impact of their educational policies and practices in early
literacy and numeracy, and in so doing drives towards increased outcomes for children.
Data from ITEGS has been analyzed at the country and state/region levels, as well as by gender. ITEGS
places particular focus on the distribution of the data by examining the mean, median, and 25th and 75th
percentiles.
About

4. ITEGS grants awards to the countries who achieve the greatest success with their lowest quartile of students.
We pay special attention to the lowest quartile of students, as these represent those at greatest risk of not
acquiring the skills needed to fully participate in society. In 2017, the Reading Skills Award goes to the USA
and the Numeracy Skills Award winner is Hong Kong.
We invite further study of the anonymized data by educational authorities and university researchers. Please
contact us at research@skoolbo.com.
School districts and educational authorities are encouraged to have their students complete ITEGS. Please
contact us at itegs@skoolbo.com.
Media requests are to be directed to itegs@skoolbo.com.
Note:
ITEGS represents a valuable supplement and precursor to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Trends in International
Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).

5. Contents
High Performers
Key Findings
Test Methodology
Explanation of Charts
Limitations
Country-by-country Breakdown
Australia
Canada
Hong Kong
New Zealand
United Kingdom
USA
Release Date: November 6, 2017.

6. Reading Skills Award
For achieving the greatest success with the lowest quartile of students
USA

7. Reading Skills - High Performers
Highest Performing Countries at Age 5.5
Canada and Australia
Highest Performing Countries at Age 8.5
Australia and United Kingdom
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for all Students
USA and New Zealand
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for Lowest Quartile of Students
USA

8. Numeracy Skills Award
For achieving the greatest success with the lowest quartile of students
Hong Kong

9. Numeracy Skills - High Performers
Highest Performing Country at Age 5.5
Hong Kong
Highest Performing Countries at Age 8.5
Hong Kong and United Kingdom
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for all Students
USA, New Zealand and United Kingdom
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for Lowest Quartile of Students
USA

10. AUS
Age
5.5
AUS
Age
7.0
AUS
Age
8.5
CA
Age
5.5
CA
Age
7.0
CA
Age
8.5
NZ
Age
5.5
NZ
Age
7.0
NZ
Age
8.5
UK
Age
5.5
UK
Age
7.0
UK
Age
8.5
USA
Age
5.5
USA
Age
7.0
USA
Age
8.5 Sample Size =98,702
Key Finding 1
The United Kingdom
and New Zealand see a
widening in the gap
between higher
performers and lower
performers over a
three-year period.
The USA has the
greatest success at
lifting its lowest quartile
of readers.
* Hong Kong was not included in
the English reading analysis as
most students are English as a
Second Language.
Reading Skills Growth Across Age 5.5 to 8.5

11. Key Finding 2
The 25th percentile of 8.5 year olds
are behind the 75th percentile of 5.5
year old students.
There is no evidence in the data to
suggest that struggling readers catch
up.
Age
5.5
Age
8.5
Australia Canada
New Zealand United Kingdom USA
75th Percentile
Students
25th Percentile
Students
Reading Improvement by Quartiles
Hong Kong has been left off this
chart, as English Reading skills are
not a key focus during this period.

12. SampleSize=274,697
Key Finding 3
The study indicates boys’ reading skills are approximately three months behind those of girls. This is
particularly evident in the lowest quartile of students, where boys are overrepresented. Girls showed a higher
mean reading score in 46 of the 48 age group breakdowns across the study.
Australia: Reading Skills Canada: Reading Skills Hong Kong: Reading Skills
New Zealand: Reading Skills United Kingdom: Reading Skills USA: Reading Skills

13. AUS
Age
5.5
AUS
Age
7.0
AUS
Age
8.5
CA
Age
5.5
CA
Age
7.0
CA
Age
8.5
HK
Age
5.5
HK
Age
7.0
HK
Age
8.5
NZ
Age
5.5
NZ
Age
7.0
NZ
Age
8.5
UK
Age
5.5
UK
Age
7.0
UK
Age
8.5
USA
Age
5.5
USA
Age
7.0
USA
Age
8.5 Sample Size = 99,924
Key Finding 4
Students from Hong
Kong are approximately
three grades ahead of
students in Australia,
Canada, New Zealand,
the United Kingdom,
and the USA. This gap
is apparent from 5.5
years of age.
Numeracy Skills Growth Across Age 5.5 to 8.5

14. Age
5.5
Age
8.5
Australia Canada Hong Kong
New Zealand United Kingdom USA
Numeracy Skills Improvement by Quartile
75th Percentile
Students
25th Percentile
Students
Key Finding 5
With the exception of the USA, the
25th percentile of 8.5 year olds are
behind the 75th percentile of 5.5 year
olds in numeracy skills.
The USA has achieved the greatest
lift in numeracy skills among the
lowest quartile of students.
The 25th percentile of Hong Kong
students has achieved similar
numeracy results to the 75th
percentile of students from Australia,
Canada, New Zealand, the United
Kingdom, and the USA.

15. SampleSize=279,506
Key Finding 6
Boys’ numeracy skills are between 3 and 6 months ahead of girls’ numeracy skills over the age period.
This gap is apparent in the top two quartiles of students. This trend is apparent across all countries in
the study. Boys achieved a higher mean numeracy score in 44 of the 48 age group breakdowns.
Australia: Numeracy Skills Canada: Numeracy Skills Hong Kong: Numeracy Skills
New Zealand: Numeracy Skills United Kingdom: Numeracy Skills USA: Numeracy Skills

16. Sample Size = 44,417
Key Finding 7
Reading performance shows a high
degree of correlation with numeracy
performance. This trend is particularly
evident within the first three quartiles.
There is some evidence of
divergence in the upper quartile,
where it seems students start to have
a stronger leaning towards either
reading or numeracy.
Australia Canada New Zealand
United Kingdom USA

17. ITEGS are reading and basic numeracy tests for 5 to 9 year olds. They measure fluency and are a combination of both accuracy
and speed.
The reading test covers reading fluency as measured by a student’s ability to correctly identify a word that has been spoken. The
reading test does not cover vocabulary or comprehension.
The numeracy test covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The numeracy test does not cover geometry, space,
patterns, algebra, or word problems.
Students complete ITEGS online when they first appear Skoolbo Learning Platform. Skoolbo uses this data to assign a starting
point for the child on the Skoolbo program. The ITEGS data is not influenced by prior use of Skoolbo.
Format
● Students have 60 seconds to correctly answer as many questions as they can.
● Accuracy is encouraged, and children strike out if three mistakes are made.
● The score is calculated by the total number of correct answers.
● Students complete two tests in both reading and numeracy, with their best score in each being counted.
Testing Period
Data for this analysis has been collected from 2015 to 2017.
Test Methodology

18. Sample Reading Skills Test
Link to video of sample tests
25th percentile for USA age 8.5
achieves to this level
Median for USA age 8.5 achieves
to this level
75th percentile for USA age 8.5
achieves to this level
Median for USA age 5.5 achieves
to this level
75th percentile for USA age 5.5
achieves to this level
25th percentile for USA age 5.5
achieves to this level

19. Sample Numeracy Skills Test
Link to video of sample tests
25th percentile for USA age 8.5
achieves to this level
Median for USA age 8.5 achieves
to this level
75th percentile for USA age 8.5
achieves to this level
Median for USA age 5.5 achieves
to this level
75th percentile for USA age 5.5
achieves to this level
25th percentile for USA age 5.5
achieves to this level

20. Explanation of Charts
The ITEGS study has incorporated a number of charts to help visualize the data and see trends.
75th percentile
Median for USA age 8.5 achieves
to this level
25th percentile
Mean
Maximum (excluding outliers)
Minimum (excluding outliers)
Lower Quartile
Upper Quartile
Box and Whisker Plots highlight the distribution
of data. They are useful in illustrating changes
within each quartile.
Outliers have been excluded to increase the
ease of interpretation. Outliers represent less
than 2% of the data.

21. Explanation of Charts
The ITEGS study has incorporated a number of charts to help visualize the data and see trends.
Heat maps show the concentration levels of data at
each coordinate. They are beneficial for highlighting
correlation patterns.
Approximately 70% of the data
falls in the red zone

22. Limitations
ITEGS acknowledges limitations, which may increase the margin of error. These include:
● The sample size of Canada is slightly below the preferred threshold of 4,500 as used by TIMSS and PIRLS and 5,000 as
used by PISA. The sample sizes of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the USA vastly exceeded this
threshold. Analysis at a state or region level is subject to greater error due to a reduction in sample size.
● Schools subscribe to the Skoolbo learning platform (free of charge), and it’s possible the users do not represent a
cross-spread of society.
● Students self-select their age and gender information. This may be prone to error. Teachers provide the state and country
details.
● The tests are not conducted in a “test-like” environment. That is, they are not supervised, and it’s possible that some
students receive assistance from other people.
● The tests are multiple choice with two possible responses. This may upwardly bias the results through lucky guessing.
Accuracy is encouraged, and students strike out if they make three mistakes. There is an overall accuracy of 87% which
indicates random guessing is not overly prevalent.
● Younger children may have difficulties with the computer skills required to enter responses. Touchscreen tablet versions
are recommended to reduce any navigation issues.
● Students may have encountered technical difficulties during the tests. Students who achieved a maximum score of 2 or
below were excluded from the analysis.
● The data is not longitudinal, and the improvement analysis is underpinned by the assumption that age cohorts within an
educational jurisdiction are comparable.

23. Australia

24. Highest Performing State at Age 5.5
Australian Capital Territory
Highest Performing State at Age 8.5
Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Western Australia
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for all Students
South Australia and Western Australia
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for Lowest Quartile of Students
Victoria
Australia: Reading Skills - High Performers

25. Age
5.5
Australian Capital
Territory
New South Wales Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Sample Size = 17,209 Note: Northern Territory excluded due to insufficient sample size
Australia Reading Skills: State Comparison

26. Sample Size = 46,708
Australia: Reading Skills - All Students Australia: Reading Skills - Boys and Girls

27. Australia: Numeracy High Performers
Highest Performing State at Age 5.5
Australian Capital Territory
Highest Performing State at Age 8.5
Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for all Students
Western Australia
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for Lowest Quartile of Students
Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia

28. Sample Size = 17,106
Age
5.5
Australian Capital
Territory
New South Wales Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Note: Northern Territory excluded due to insufficient sample size
Australia Numeracy Skills: State Comparison

29. Sample Size = 46,597
Australia: Numeracy Skills - All Students Australia: Numeracy Skills - Boys and Girls

30. Canada
The sample size of Canada
(4,117) was insufficient to allow
for a regional breakdown and
the allocation of High
Performers.

31. Sample Size = 4,117
Canada: Reading Skills - All Students Canada: Reading Skills - Boys and Girls

32. Sample Size = 4,095
Canada: Numeracy Skills - All Students Canada: Numeracy Skills - Boys and Girls

33. Hong Kong
The sample size of Hong Kong (5,368)
was insufficient to allow for a regional
breakdown and the allocation of High
Performers.

34. Sample Size = 5,368
Hong Kong: Numeracy Skills - All Students Hong Kong: Numeracy Skills - Boys and Girls

35. New Zealand

36. Highest Performing Region at Age 5.5
Canterbury
Highest Performing Regions at Age 8.5
Auckland and Canterbury
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for all Students
Wellington and Waikato
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for Lowest Quartile of Students
Waikato
New Zealand: Reading High Performers

37. Age
5.5
Auckland Bay of Plenty Canterbury Northland Otago Wellington Waikato
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Sample Size = 8,528
New Zealand Reading Skills: Selective Region Comparison

38. Sample Size = 28,624
New Zealand: Reading Skills - All Students New Zealand: Reading Skills - Boys and Girls

39. Highest Performing Region at Age 5.5
Canterbury
Highest Performing Regions at Age 8.5
Northland and Canterbury
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for all Students
Waikato
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for Lowest Quartile of Students
Bay of Plenty
New Zealand: Numeracy High Performers

40. Age
5.5
Auckland Bay of Plenty Canterbury Northland Otago Wellington Waikato
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Sample Size = 8,526
New Zealand Numeracy Skills: Selective Region Comparison

41. Sample Size = 28,690
New Zealand: Numeracy Skills - All Students New Zealand: Numeracy Skills - Boys and Girls

42. United Kingdom

43. Highest Performing Region at Age 5.5
East Midlands and London
Highest Performing Region at Age 8.5
South-East and London
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for all Students
South-East and Scotland
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for Lowest Quartile of Students
Yorkshire
United Kingdom: Reading High Performers

44. Age
5.5
East Anglia East Midlands London North-West Scotland
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Sample Size = 8,714
UK Reading Skills: Selective Region Comparison

45. Age
5.5
South-East South-West Wales West Midlands Yorkshire
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Sample Size = 5,140
Reading Skills performance
was lower for 25th percentile
at age 8.5 as compared to
age 7.0
UK Reading Skills: Selective Region Comparison

46. Sample Size = 42,820
United Kingdom: Reading Skills - All Students United Kingdom: Reading Skills - Boys and Girls
Limited growth apparent
among the lowest
quartile of students

47. Highest Performing Region at Age 5.5
London and East Midlands
Highest Performing Region at Age 8.5
South-East and North-West
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for all Students
North-West
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for Lowest Quartile of Students
West Midlands, North-West, and East Anglia
United Kingdom: Numeracy High Performers

48. Age
5.5
East Anglia East Midlands London North-West Scotland
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Sample Size = 8,236
UK Numeracy Skills: Selective Region Comparison

49. Age
5.5
South-East South-West Wales West Midlands Yorkshire
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Sample Size = 5,098
UK Numeracy Skills: Selective Region Comparison

50. Sample Size = 43,521
United Kingdom: Numeracy Skills - All Students United Kingdom: Numeracy Skills - Boys and Girls

51. USA

52. Highest Performing State at Age 5.5
Florida and Ohio
Highest Performing State at Age 8.5
Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for all Students
Illinois and Pennsylvania
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for Lowest Quartile of Students
Illinois and Pennsylvania
USA: Reading High Performers
Please note: Only the seven largest US states were considered in the analysis.

53. Age
5.5
California Florida Illinois New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Sample Size = 21,656 Note: Only the seven largest US states were considered in the analysis.
USA Reading Skills: Large States Comparison

54. Sample Size = 152,473
USA: Reading Skills - All Students USA: Reading Skills - Boys and Girls

55. Highest Performing State at Age 5.5
Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania
Highest Performing State at Age 8.5
Pennsylvania and Florida
Greatest Improvement Between Age 5.5 and 8.5 for all Students
Illinois and Pennsylvania
USA: Numeracy High Performers
Please note: Only the seven largest US states were considered in the analysis.

56. Age
5.5
California Florida Illinois New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Age
5.5
Age
7.0
Age
8.5
Sample Size = 21,457 Note: Only the seven largest US states were considered in the analysis.
USA Numeracy Skills: Large States Comparison

57. Sample Size = 151,163
USA: Numeracy Skills - All Students USA: Numeracy Skills - Boys and Girls