The data comes from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a congressionally mandated test designed to measure the general state of education.
The data shows that average scores declined in both the fourth and eighth-grade levels in reading and math. Among fourth graders, only 31% of students were ranked at a proficient level, meaning they “have demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter, including subject-matter knowledge, application of such knowledge to real world situations, and analytical skills appropriate to the subject matter.”
Most fourth graders (60%) were ranked at the NAEP basic level, meaning they only have “partial mastery of prerequisite knowledge and skills.”
Among eighth-grade students, 30% of students were ranked as proficient in reading for 2024, which was not significantly better than in 2022. Most eighth graders (67%) were ranked at the basic level in reading, much lower compared to 2022 and 1992.
In a press statement NAEP Commissioner Peggy G. Carr agreed that the findings are cause for concern adding, “Overall, student achievement has not returned to pre-pandemic performance. Where there are signs of recovery, they are mostly in math and largely driven by higher-performing students. Lower-performing students are struggling, especially in reading.”