US Student Test scores Continue to Fall
Table of Contents
WASHINGTON – The decline in reading and mathematics performance among US high school students, which began a decade ago, continued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twelfth-grade scores have fallen to their lowest level in over 20 years, according to results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), published on Tuesday.
Eighth-grade students also experienced meaningful losses in science skills, as revealed by the NAEP results. These evaluations represent the first pandemic-era data for eighth graders and twelfth graders in reading and mathematics. They confirm a downward trend across all grade levels and subject areas, consistent with previous NAEP publications – widely considered a key indicator of academic progress in US schools.
“The performance of our lowest-achieving students is at historic lows,” stated Matthew Soldner, interim commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics. “These results should prompt all of us to take concerted and specific action to accelerate student learning.”
Beyond the pandemic: A Longer-Term Trend
While the pandemic undoubtedly impacted student performance, experts emphasize that the decline in scores is part of a broader educational trend that extends beyond COVID-19, school closures, and related issues like increased absenteeism. Educators are pointing to potential underlying factors, such as increased screen time, reduced attention spans, and a decline in reading longer texts both in and outside of school.
The Shift in Reading Instruction
The drop in reading scores coincides with a change in how English and language arts are taught in schools, with a greater focus on shorter texts and excerpts. Carol Jago,associate director of the California Reading and Literature Project at UCLA,notes that reading habits have changed dramatically. As a high school teacher 20 years ago, JagoS students typically read around 20 books per year. Now, some English classes assign only three books per course.
“To be a good reader, you have to develop the stamina to stay engaged with a text, even when it’s challenging,” Jago explained. “You need to build those mental muscles, and we aren’t doing that for children.”
Key Takeaways
- US student performance in reading and math continues to decline, reaching 20-year lows.
- The decline began before the pandemic and is likely due to a combination of factors.
- Changes in reading instruction,focusing on shorter texts,may be contributing to the problem.
- Lowest-achieving students are experiencing the most significant performance drops.
The Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, called the results “a wake-up call” and pledged to work with states and districts to address the learning losses.The NAEP data underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to support students and reverse these troubling trends.
Publication Date: 2025/09/18 11:24:49