America’s Children Continue to Struggle with Reading Skills and Math
For the second consecutive year, the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) have shown that America’s children are still struggling to regain ground lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest results indicate that students have made little progress in math and reading, with many falling further behind.
The NAEP is taken every two years, testing fourth- and eighth-grade students on math and reading. This year’s results show that the average math score for eighth-grade students remained unchanged, while reading scores dropped 2 points at both grade levels. One-third of eighth-grade students scored below “basic” in reading, a level considered lacking in fundamental skills.
According to the results, the divide between higher- and lower-performing students has grown wider, with the lowest performing students falling further behind. The top 10% of students saw their scores increase by 3 points in eighth-grade math, while the bottom 10% decreased by 6 points.
Education officials are expressing concern over the low-performing students, saying they need urgent attention and the best efforts to turn things around. They point to the need to address issues such as youth mental health, chronic absenteeism, and a lack of access to reading materials at home.
While there are a few bright spots, including an improvement in fourth-grade math in some states and districts, the overall results are a cause for concern. Officials acknowledge that the pandemic is no longer the sole culprit, citing complex challenges that have shaken the education system.
Despite the dismal results, there is still reason to be optimistic, with some states and districts showing improvement. Louisiana, for example, has seen a resurgence in fourth-grade reading proficiency, with both higher- and lower-performing students exceeding 2019 scores. Officials believe that with concerted efforts, students can turn things around.