• 12th graders recorded their lowest reading and math scores in over 20 years.
• 45% of high school seniors scored below basic math proficiency.
• The results raise concerns about workforce readiness and educational disparities.

The latest report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), commonly referred to as the nation’s report card, reveals a concerning decline in the academic performance of U.S. high school seniors. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the results indicate that the reading and math scores of 12th graders have dropped to their lowest levels in over two decades. Approximately 32% of seniors scored below the “basic” level in reading, while 45% did not achieve basic proficiency in math, the highest percentage recorded since 2005, according to latimes, newsweek, and thehill.

These scores, part of an assessment that also includes eighth-grade science results, showcase a persistent and alarming trend in student performance. The findings raise significant concerns about the preparedness of students for college and the workforce, crucial in today's rapidly evolving job market. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that these results underscore a widening achievement gap, stating, "Despite spending billions annually on numerous K-12 programs, more high school seniors are performing below the basic benchmark in math and reading than ever before," according to thehill, indiatimes, and businessinsider.

The test results reflect a deeper crisis in the education system, with fewer students able to engage with complex texts or fundamental mathematics. Only 33% of 12th graders were deemed ready for college-level math courses, a decline from 37% in 2019. This signals that more students are entering higher education with insufficient skills for success, as highlighted by numerous educational experts and stakeholders, according to indiatimes and indiatimes.

Factors contributing to these declines include increased screen time, changes in reading habits, and a shift away from long-form texts in educational environments. “To be a good reader, you have to have the stamina to stay on the page, even when the going gets tough,” stated Carol Jago, emphasizing the critical skills that are not being cultivated, according to latimes. The assessment further pointed to a resurgence of gender gaps in STEM education, with girls showing a steeper decline in science scores compared to their male counterparts, according to thehill.

In light of these results, there is an urgent call for focused action from policymakers and education leaders. The NAEP results highlight the necessity for the education system to adapt and address the burgeoning challenges students face, especially amidst the backdrop of an increasingly complex workforce and societal demands. Lesley Muldoon, executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board, pointed out that students are maturing “with fewer skills and less knowledge in core academics than their predecessors a decade ago,” underlining the importance of systemic reforms, according to thehill, businessinsider, and newsweek.