News Summary
A recent report from the National Assessment of Education Progress reveals a significant decline in high school students’ academic performance, particularly in reading and math. The findings show that 12th graders have achieved their lowest scores in over two decades, with alarming percentages scoring below basic proficiency levels. Eighth graders also exhibit concerning trends in science education. Experts attribute these declines to various factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced reading assignments, and changes in teaching methodologies. Immediate action is needed to address these challenges.
Washington, D.C. – High school students across the United States are facing a troubling decline in academic performance, particularly in reading and math. Recent data released from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), often referred to as the nation’s report card, indicates that 12th graders have achieved their lowest scores in these subjects in over two decades. The assessments, which are the first to be conducted since the COVID-19 pandemic for reading and math among 12th graders, along with science for 8th graders, reveal a continuation of a decade-long downward trend in student performance.
The latest NAEP results show alarming figures for high school students: 32% of seniors scored below the basic proficiency level in reading, while 45% fell below this level in math, marking the highest percentage since 2005. Additionally, the average reading score for 2024 is the lowest recorded since the assessments began in 1992, with only 33% of high school seniors demonstrating preparedness for college-level math, down from 37% in 2019.
Students in eighth grade are also exhibiting concerning declines, specifically in science. The report reveals a significant drop in the number of eighth graders participating in inquiry-based learning activities, which are essential for grasping scientific concepts. It is noted that these declines in performance precede the pandemic, although several factors stemming from the pandemic may have exacerbated the situation.
Matthew Soldner, acting commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, highlighted that the scores for the lowest-performing students are showing historic lows, emphasizing a widening achievement gap that has become more pronounced in recent years. Experts suggest that various factors are contributing to this ongoing decline in student performance, including increased screen time, diminished attention spans among students, and a notable shift in English and language arts teaching methodologies.
One of the critical changes in education has been a reduction in the number of books assigned in high school. Educators report that some classes now assign only three books per year, compared to approximately 20 two decades ago. This significant shift in curriculum may be impacting students’ overall reading proficiency and engagement with literature.
In the face of these alarming trends, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has emphasized the necessity for states to have greater control over their education spending to better address the challenges faced in educational equity. House Democrats, including Rep. Bobby Scott, contend that dismantling the Education Department could worsen educational outcomes for students and further deepen the existing disparities.
Data from the latest assessments indicate significant performance gaps, particularly in eighth-grade science and twelfth-grade math. In addition, a gender gap has re-emerged in the assessments, with females showing a steeper decline in math and science performance since 2019. This disparity raises additional concerns about the accessibility and effectiveness of current educational practices.
Schools have encountered numerous challenges in facilitating hands-on learning experiences during the pandemic, which have adversely affected student engagement and understanding across all subjects. The findings suggest that the educational landscape has undergone considerable change in the past decade, highlighting the need for immediate attention to reinforce and support student learning.
The NAEP test scores reflect data collected from January to March 2024 and are indicative of an urgent call to action for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders in the education sector. As the landscape of education evolves, immediate measures must be taken to ensure students’ learning experiences are engaging, diverse, and effective to reverse the ongoing decline in performance.
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Additional Resources
- KION546: Best Public Middle Schools in California
- Wikipedia: Education in the United States
- California Local: How California Measures School and Student Success
- Google Search: Educational success in California
- Newsweek: San Francisco Public Schools’ Equity Homework
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Fox News: San Francisco School District Ditches Grading Equity Program
- Google Scholar: Grading equity programs
- Mountain Enterprise: STAR Testing Results for El Tejon Unified School District
- Google News: Decline in education performance
- National Review: San Francisco High Schools’ Equity Grading Program
- CBS News: San Francisco Grading for Equity Backlash
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