NAEP 2024: Widening Gaps, Declines in Reading, and Mixed Math Recovery

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, new data reveals that American students are grappling with significant setbacks in reading and math proficiency. The latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often referred to as the nation’s report card, show that while some progress has been made in areas like fourth-grade math, the overall picture remains troubling for U.S. education.

Schools across the country continue to confront challenges spurred by the pandemic, ranging from school closures to a growing youth mental health crisis and chronic absenteeism. The disparity between high-performing students and those struggling has widened, posing a pressing concern for policymakers and educators alike.

Nationwide Testing Results Highlight Areas of Concern

The assessment, conducted every two years, evaluates a sample of fourth- and eighth-grade students across the United States in math and reading. The 2024 results paint a grim picture: eighth-grade reading scores fell by two points from 2022, marking the highest number of students ever scoring below the “basic” proficiency level. Unable to demonstrate fundamental skills—such as inferring a character’s motivation in a story—these students are at a critical disadvantage.

Math scores remained static for eighth-graders, while fourth-grade math showed a modest gain of two points on a 500-point scale. Yet, this improvement fails to recapture the three-point loss seen since 2019. States and districts like Washington, D.C., witnessed more significant gains, with the district’s average fourth-grade math scores rising by 10 points.

The mixed results point to inconsistent recovery efforts. “The news is not good,” said Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics. “We are not seeing the progress we need to regain the ground our students lost during the pandemic.”

Widening Achievement Gaps

A worrying trend is the growing gap between students who perform well and those who struggle. The data shows that high-performing students are beginning to recover from pandemic-related disruptions, but their lower-performing peers continue to fall further behind. For instance, in eighth-grade math, the bottom 10% of students saw their scores decline by six points, while the top 10% gained three points.

Educational leaders have flagged this disparity as a long-term issue. “We are deeply concerned about our low-performing students,” said Lesley Muldoon, executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board. “For a decade, these students have been on the decline. They need our urgent attention and our best effort.”

Pandemic Aftershocks Persist

The testing data highlights the ongoing ripple effects of pandemic disruptions. This year’s eighth graders were in fourth grade when COVID-19 erupted, while the fourth graders were in kindergarten. However, officials caution that these results can no longer be blamed solely on the pandemic. “The nation’s education system faces complex challenges,” Carr warned, pointing to problems like chronic absenteeism and a decline in students reading for enjoyment.

The link between attendance and performance is a key insight from the assessment. “The data are clear,” Carr said. “Students who don’t come to school are not improving.”

Debate Over School Reopenings

The results have refueled debates about the impact of school closures. Studies suggest longer closures were tied to steeper academic losses, particularly in urban and Democratic-led areas that reopened later. Evidence remains inconclusive, however. Carr emphasized that while no “direct link” exists, students perform better overall when physically present in schools.

Interestingly, some districts with extended closures have shown progress. Both Los Angeles and New York City reported gains in fourth-grade math, potentially attributable to targeted recovery efforts funded by federal pandemic relief. According to Ray Hart, executive director of the Council of Great City Schools, investments in measures like intensive tutoring are showing promising results.

State Efforts Deliver Glimmers of Hope

Several states have found success by adopting innovative approaches. Louisiana’s fourth-grade reading scores have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, thanks in part to a state-wide campaign focused on the science of reading, a phonics-based strategy to improve literacy. Gains were also seen in Alabama, where fourth-grade math scores have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

“It’s been demonstrated that we can turn this around,” Carr noted, praising these state-led initiatives.

Political Reactions

The U.S. Education Department described the results as “heartbreaking” and reiterated the need for systemic changes. Republican lawmakers, however, seized the opportunity to criticize the Biden administration. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., accused the education system of focusing on “woke policies” instead of academic recovery.

While progress remains uneven, examples from states like Louisiana provide some optimism that targeted efforts can help rebuild the nation's education system.