PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island students in elementary and middle school have shown no improvement on state reading and math assessments.

The state says 72 percent of students in grades 3 through 8 were proficient in reading on the New England Common Assessment Program tests taken last fall. In math, 61 percent of third- through eighth-graders were proficient.

Among 11th graders, 79 percent were proficient in reading, an improvement of 2 points from 2011. Only 34 percent of 11th graders were proficient in math, a 4 point increase from 2011.

Forty percent of 11th graders were "substantially below proficient" and must make improvement to graduate. The students will take the test again in their senior year.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee says he's concerned over statewide math results but pleased with overall high school gains.