America’s kids are getting worse at reading, according to new national test scores. However, they are making some gains in math.
The nation’s latest report card from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, released this week, shows kids are continuing to lose ground when it comes to reading skills. The slide started before the COVID-19 pandemic and has only gotten worse since.
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What did we learn?
Every two years, the test is administered to fourth and eighth graders in all 50 states. In 2024, only 67% of eighth graders scored at a basic or better reading level, the lowest that scores have ever been since the test started being administered in 1992.
Meanwhile, only 60% of fourth graders scored at a basic or better reading level. It’s not a record low, but it’s close.
Compared to 2022, reading scores fell an average of two points at both grade levels. Experts say the divide is wider than ever — with the highest scorers racking up more points while the lowest scorers fall further behind.
Is there any good news?
While eighth grade students’ math scores remain unchanged from 2022, fourth graders’ average math scores went up two points.
The low scores also appear to be a problem that can be remedied.
A survey done alongside the exam found students who are often absent from class are struggling the most. Chronic absenteeism has been a nationwide issue since the pandemic.
Students who don’t come to school are not improving.
Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education
“The data are clear,” said Peggy Carr, the commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics. “Students who don’t come to school are not improving.”
