Nebraska students are showing progress on statewide math and reading tests.

New results released Tuesday show that more than 74 percent of students were at or above proficiency levels in reading this year, compared with less than 72 percent in 2011.

More than 67 percent showed proficiency in math in 2012, compared to less than 63 percent the previous year.

The results from the Nebraska Department of Education were the first-ever under the new Nebraska Performance Accountability System.

The new state system measures schools by their average scores in reading, mathematics, writing and science. The exam also shows improvement by measuring differences in math and reading scores among students in the same grade, and growth, by comparing scores of the same students from year to year.