According to the Nation’s Report Card from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the math and reading test scores for 13-year-olds have seen a significant decline during the coronavirus pandemic. This decline has not shown any signs of recovery, according to the nation’s educational watchdog.
From the 2019-2020 academic year to the 2022-2023 year, the average math scores for 13-year-olds fell by nine points, while the average reading scores fell by four points. These drops in scores can be attributed to the disruption caused by the pandemic, which forced schools to close and students to transition to online learning.
Peggy Carr, the commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), expressed concern that the test scores have not shown improvement even years after most students have returned to classrooms following the pandemic.
Average math and reading scores plummeted during the pandemic, according to the Nation’s Report Card, from the National Assessment of Educational Progress
In a statement, Carr mentioned that the anticipated academic recovery has not materialized, using the phrase “green shoots” to describe the absence of improvement in test scores.
The declining test scores have raised concerns among parents and social media users. While some attribute the drop to Covid-19 lockdowns, others criticize schools for focusing more on social issues rather than prioritizing teaching the fundamental skills.
These declining test scores represent the lowest point in average reading scores since 2004 and math scores since 1990.
No ‘green shoots,’ warns education tsar Peggy Carr
The decline in test scores is even more concerning for students who were already performing poorly. Math scores for these students have regressed to levels seen in 1978, while reading scores have dropped to levels before 1971 when data collection began.
The decline in scores spans across all racial and ethnic groups, genders, and urban, suburban, and rural areas. However, Native American, black, and economically disadvantaged students have been disproportionately impacted in math.
Furthermore, fewer students engage in frequent reading for pleasure compared to a decade ago. This decline in leisure reading is problematic as it is strongly associated with higher academic achievement. Carr highlights the importance of reading broadly in nurturing latent passions and areas of interest.
The latest release of data from NAEP marks a significant revelation about the extent of learning loss during the pandemic. Schools, teachers, and students face a daunting challenge in restoring educational standards to pre-pandemic levels.
The scores are particularly concerning as the ages of 10-13 are critical for mastering fundamental skills that lay the foundation for future success in school and careers.
Students were forced to work at home on laptops in their kitchens in the pandemic
Carr emphasizes that these results indicate troubling gaps in students’ basic skills and that addressing this challenge is of national importance.
The latest findings echo previous reports of declining test scores during the pandemic, including lower US history scores among middle school students and decreased reading and math scores among elementary school students.
Lesley Muldoon, the executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board, stresses the significance of providing quality educational opportunities to ensure individual and collective success. She calls for urgent action from leaders at federal, state, and community levels to prepare students for their educational, career, and life goals.
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