The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is an international comparative study that measures 4th-grade reading performance every 5 years. PIRLS provides valuable information on the reading literacy of students in the United States and how their reading performance compares to that of students in other parts of the world. The study also surveys students’ attitudes toward reading and their reading habits. In addition, students’ principals answer questions about students’ school experiences. The United States has participated in every administration of PIRLS since its inception in 2001. A total of 65 education systems participated in the 2021 PIRLS assessment.

This web report presents descriptive data from PIRLS 2021 on school operations during COVID-19, student reading performance and attitudes, and school reading resources.