On California's Smarter Balanced, Grade 8 English Language Arts (ELA) is reported on a scale from 2290 to 2850, and each score falls into one of 4 performance levels. Reaching Proficient (at 2567 or above) is the state's grade-level, on-track benchmark.
| Level | Score range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | 2290–2486 | The lowest level, well below grade-level expectations |
| Developing | 2487–2566 | Approaching grade-level expectations |
| Proficient | 2567–2667 | Meeting grade-level expectations (the state proficiency line) |
| Advanced | 2668–2850 | The highest level, above grade-level expectations |
Statewide in 2026, about 49% of Grade 8 students reached Proficient or Advanced in ELA. The bar above shows the share at each level (left = lowest).
A score's meaning depends on where it lands in the ranges above, and on how it compares to other students. Our free tool turns a score into an estimated percentile versus the child's school, district and the whole state, so you can see exactly where a score stands, not just its level.
Look up your child's percentile →