Record Decline in High School Scores: A Troubling Trend
The latest data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often called the “National Report Card,” shows that scores for 12th graders in both mathematics and reading have hit record lows and continue to decline, a trend that has persisted for years.
Released on Tuesday, the updated test results come from assessments held between January and March 2024. As noted by various sources, this decline actually started before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted education and has persisted since. While lawmakers hoped for a recovery in 2024, the results serve as a reminder of ongoing issues in the U.S. education system.
Changes in Illinois’ Benchmarking
Illinois has revised its standards for demonstrating mathematics proficiency as well as for standardized tests in English.
The NAEP data reveals that nearly 45% of high school seniors have only grasped the basics of mathematics.
Additionally, reading scores have worsened, with almost one-third of seniors failing to meet basic expectations. This represents another alarming record. For context, the lowest performing students averaged a score of 224 in 1992, which is 25 points lower than their peers today.
“The scores for the lowest performers are at historic lows, a consistent decline that has been noted for over a decade. My predecessors have warned about this trend as well,” remarked an official. “These results should motivate us to take coordinated and intensive actions to improve student learning.”
The assessment also highlighted declines in science scores for Grade 8, falling below the levels recorded in 2019, erasing any gains made since testing began in 2009.
Concerns Over Education Spending
Following the score release, Education Secretary Linda McMahon acknowledged that the results “confirm a catastrophic trend,” despite billions spent on various K-12 initiatives.
In an appearance on a news show, McMahon echoed concerns raised about whether this situation qualifies as a “national emergency.” She and President Donald Trump aim to redirect education funding back to the U.S.
“I believe it is,” McMahon stated. “It’s incredibly distressing to observe this trend in our nation. We’re investing significant money into education—$3 trillion since the Department of Education was established—and it’s disheartening to see our scores keep declining.”
The Trump administration has suggested giving states increased authority over the allocation of federal education funds, while Congress is also pushing for cuts in overall spending on these programs.
Earlier this year, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which oversees the tests, faced cuts leading to layoffs and contract cancellations due to Government Efficiency cuts at the Department of Education.
According to a representative from the education research and data sector, these changes will not hinder the ability to analyze and report findings effectively.
