America’s children continue to experience setbacks in reading and math skills, according to the latest findings from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the nation's report card. The report highlights a significant decline in scores among U.S. fourth and eighth graders following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It reveals that while some students are making modest gains, overall performance remains below pre-pandemic levels.

"The news is not good," stated Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics. The most recent NAEP results, administered in early 2024, indicated that about a third of eighth-grade students scored below the "basic" level in reading, the worst in the assessment's history. In reading, scores dropped by 2 points for both fourth and eighth grades compared to 2022, compounding earlier declines from 2022 of 3 points.

Notably, a widening achievement gap is evident, exacerbating concerns about students at the lower end of the performance spectrum. While high-performing students have started to recover lost ground, lower-performing peers are scoring even lower. This trend is particularly alarming for eighth graders in math, where the lowest 10% decreased by 6 points, contrasting with a 3-point increase among the top 10% of students. "We are deeply concerned about our low-performing students," said Lesley Muldoon, executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted intervention.

Despite some slight improvements in fourth-grade math scores—up 2 points on a scale of 500—these numbers remain below pre-pandemic averages. The improvements were particularly notable in Washington, D.C., where scores rose by 10 points. However, chronic absenteeism, a significant contributor to these academic challenges, remains pervasive nationwide. “The data are clear,” Carr noted, “students who don't come to school are not improving.” According to new findings, states including Florida and Arizona saw declines in reading, although urban districts that had longer closures reported successes, attributing gains to federal relief funding enabling intensive tutoring and curriculum upgrades.

Historically, reading scores have been troubling, with 40% of fourth graders reading below the basic level. Experts involved in the study indicate that literacy remains foundational for academic success across subjects, stating that consistent declines in reading enjoyment among students also correlate with poor scores.

Overall, the report has reignited discussions about the long-term ramifications of pandemic-era education policies and practices, serving as a call to action for educators and policymakers. As Carr optimistically noted, “I would not say that hope is lost,” advocating for renewed efforts to enhance educational outcomes across the board.

For further insights and detailed coverage, visit ABC News and NPR.