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RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina's fourth- and eighth-graders are generally keeping pace with other U.S. public school students with slightly improved results in math and reading, according to national test results released Tuesday.

A larger percentage of North Carolina students who participated in the biennial National Assessment of Educational Progress also performed at or above a basic skill level in the two subjects compared to 2005, in keeping with national trends.

Although the higher NAEP marks are statistically insignificant compared to two years ago, according to testing officials, North Carolina's reading scores held steady after falling in 2005. North Carolina also remains above the national average in math in both grades and on par in reading.

Still, 36 percent of fourth-graders and 29 percent of eighth-graders are not performing basic-level work in reading, the scores show.

"While our standing has improved, we must redouble our efforts to help students move up higher on the achievement levels in NAEP," said State Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee. "This means boosting student at all levels so they're able to be more proficient in the subjects of reading and math, and high-level thinking and problem-solving."

The NAEP test is considered the best benchmark of progress over time and across the country for math and reading progress. It assesses mathematics and reading in several areas, converting performance into a scale from 0 to 500.

North Carolina students have taken the test since the early 1990s, but the 2003 report was the first to include results from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and schools at military installations after the U.S. Education Department required participation.

Fourth-graders in North Carolina scored 218 this year, compared to 220 nationwide. In 2005 North Carolina mirrored the national level at 217. North Carolina eighth-graders also improved by one point to 259, but it also remains two points behind the national score.

Lee said reading scores improved in part by the Reading First program designed to ensure all children read well by the end of the third grade. The General Assembly also agreed the past two years with Gov. Mike Easley and hired middle-school literacy coaches to help teachers receive training to improve reading comprehension.

"That sends the message that every teacher, regardless of what he or she teaches, is a teacher of reading in the content area," state schools superintendent June Atkinson said.

In math, North Carolina remains above the national marks. The fourth-grade score of 242 is three points higher than the nation and the eighth-grade score of 284 is four points higher. Only eight states reported a higher percentage of fourth-graders performing basic-level work, according to the Department of Public Instruction.

"This really is something to celebrate," Atkinson said, but "we want to see more students mastering the tougher skills and content that will land them at higher levels."

Those difficulties are reflected in data showing fewer than 30 percent of the North Carolina students were designated as exceeding basic reading skills and reaching "proficient" or "advanced," falling short of the national level. The percentage of students testing among the highest levels in math exceeded the nation.

Other North Carolina results showed:

— boys recorded reading scores that were 8 points lower than girls in fourth grade and 11 points lower in eighth grade. Math scores showed no significant difference.

— black students scored 26 to 29 points less than white students.

— students from low-income families scored 21 to 28 points less than those who weren't eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.

About 5,500 fourth-graders took the reading test and 5,600 took the math test, covering 170 schools. In eighth grade, a total of 152 schools participated with 4,200 students taking the reading test and 4,000 the math test. The students were a representative sample, although some students, including those who are still learning English, can be excluded.