Reading and math skills are plummeting.
Recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveals that over half of fourth graders in the U.S. have not achieved proficiency in reading, with the number of proficient students dropping by 2 percentage points from two years ago. The NAEP findings highlight a growing concern about the effectiveness of reading instruction in many schools, according to Jeanne Allen, CEO of the Center for Education Reform. She stressed the importance of teaching based on proven science and engaging students with meaningful content to improve vocabulary and comprehension.
Mindy Sjoblom from OnYourMark Education noted that students who fail to read proficiently by the third grade face limited future opportunities, citing research that links poor reading skills to higher dropout rates. The NAEP data paints a bleak picture of student performance, showing a decline in reading scores for both fourth and eighth graders. Only 31% of fourth graders reached the NAEP proficient level in reading, with 60% at the basic level, reflecting a downward trend since 2022.
Eighth graders fared similarly, with 30% achieving proficiency and a larger portion ranking below basic levels compared to previous years. Math scores for fourth graders showed some improvement between 2022 and 2024, but eighth-grade math scores remained stagnant. National Center for Education Statistics Commissioner Peggy G. Carr acknowledged the concerning results, emphasizing that student achievement has not fully recovered from the pandemic, particularly in reading.
Experts suggest the declines in academic performance predate the pandemic, but the situation worsened during school closures. Nicki Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, pointed out that despite increased government spending on education, the focus in many schools has shifted away from core subjects toward social and emotional issues, exacerbating the crisis in student learning. Neily urged a national commitment to prioritize fundamental education and reintroduce a focus on hard work and excellence.
