On October 24, 2022, the US Department of Education (USDE) released the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The scores are based on tests administered in early 2022 and show declines for fourth and eighth grades in both reading and math for the majority of states. In fact, average national reading scores in 2022 reverted back to levels last seen in the 1990s, and math scores saw the largest declines ever recorded for that subject. All told, the average math score for fourth grade students dipped 5 points since 2019 (i.e., from 241 to 236) and the average score for eighth graders decreased 8 points (i.e., from 282 to 274). The average reading score fell by 3 points in both grades as compared to 2019 scores. 

The alarming results prompted U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to state, “Results in today’s Nation’s Report Card are appalling and unacceptable…This is a moment of truth for education.” 

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Commissioner Peggy Carr stated that  historically drops have only been by a couple of points, but declines of eight points are especially troubling. She also said she had expected a steeper decline in math than in reading, since parents are more comfortable teaching their children reading than math at home. 

For more from K-12 Dive, click here.