Arkansas' first- and second-graders scored above the national average in some areas and below the national average in other areas of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills last spring.
The nationally standardized test compares Arkansas student achievement to that of a national sample of students who took the same tests in literacy and math skills.
The 50th percentile is considered the national average. Arkansas students on average scored at lower percentile rankings in 2015 than did pupils in the previous two years in most categories.
See Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full coverage.