With schools back in session, the first cohort of students born during the pandemic—often referred to as “Preschool children”—are entering classrooms across the nation. Yet, there’s an evident struggle for older students to bounce back from the learning disruptions experienced during that time.
A recent report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) highlights that 8th and 12th graders continue to face challenges in key subjects. Specifically, the national report card reflects lower average scores in eighth-grade science, as well as in math and reading for twelfth graders when comparing 2024 with results from 2019.
For seniors, the scores in mathematics and reading have declined compared to those recorded in both 2005 and 1992.
Matthew Selner from the National Center for Educational Statistics characterized the findings as “satisfactory,” though it seems an odd choice of words given the context.
He noted, “The overall decline in scores corresponds with a significant drop among the lowest-performing students, continuing the downward trend established even prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Regionally, the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West showed no notable differences in eighth-grade science scores from 2019 to 2024. While there was a decrease in the mathematics scores for southern and western 12th graders, reading scores took a hit in both the Midwest and South for that age group.
About 23,000 eighth graders were assessed between January and March 2024, while around 19,300 12th graders were evaluated in mathematics and 24,300 in reading. The full report is accessible online.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated, “Today’s NAEP results confirm a catastrophic trend. American students are performing at historic lows from kindergarten through high school.”
Earlier in the year, NCES analyzed scores for fourth and eighth graders in math and reading, revealing slight improvements for the younger cohort, but older students saw no advancements. In fact, reading scores dipped across the board.
While the pandemic undeniably impacted student performance, experts argue that this score decline isn’t solely due to Covid-19. Issues tied to school closures, along with heightened absenteeism, may also play significant roles. Some underlying causes could be increased screen time, shorter attention spans, and less long-form writing practice both in and out of school.
The slump in reading scores for 2024 aligns with changes in English language arts instruction. Carol Jago, a UCLA educator, observed a shift noting that high school students once read around 20 books a year, whereas now many classes only cover three.
“To be a good reader, you have to have stamina to stay on the page, even if it’s difficult. We’re lacking in building that stamina in our kids,” she commented.
Meanwhile, the disparity in performance between the highest and lowest achievers in eighth-grade science has grown, underscoring increasing inequality in the American educational system. The achievement gap among twelfth graders in mathematics has also widened.
Christine Cunningham from the Museum of Science in Boston remarked that the decline in performance began before schools closed in 2020. “We can’t precisely pinpoint the reasons, but it’s misleading to think Covid was the sole cause of these declines,” she stated. “The data suggest otherwise, even prior to the pandemic.”
