Improvement in Scores for Younger Students
Recent results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress indicate a rise in average reading and math scores for 9-year-old students between 2022 and 2025. The National Center for Education Statistics highlights these gains as a positive trend. Over 30,000 students participated in these exams conducted from October 2024 to March 2025.
Young students showed improvement across various performance levels. This growth is promising, especially for lower-performing students. Factors contributing to these gains include students beginning school post-pandemic, allowing uninterrupted early literacy and math lessons. The age factor played a role, as these students were young during the pandemic, thus missing less key schooling.
Challenges Faced by 13-Year-Old Students
The report presents stark contrasts for 13-year-olds, who showed limited improvement in reading and math scores. Their reading scores remain below pre-pandemic levels. Factors contributing include school disruptions during their formative years. This stagnation raises concerns about educational strategies for middle school students.
Decline in Recreational Reading
A noticeable trend is the decline in students reading for pleasure. While 37% of 9-year-olds read for fun daily, only 14% of 13-year-olds do the same. Past data shows a decline from 35% in 1984, indicating a fading interest in reading among teenagers.
Losses in Math Scores
For 13-year-olds, previous improvements in math scores have been erased. Between 1978 and 2012, scores rose significantly; however, recent results show no gains compared to 1978 results. This regression emphasizes the need for focused attention on middle school education.
Discontinuation of Reports and Testing
This marks the last long-term trend report for the foreseeable future due to cuts beginning in 2025 during the Trump administration. The U.S. Education Department reduced assessments, including future iterations of these tests. Students will next encounter this test format in 2033.