According to multiple reports, younger students have regained ground academically after the pandemic's disruptions while older students' test scores continue to stagnate. The latest testing data released Wednesday by the federal government shows that nine-year-olds rebounded to pre-pandemic reading scores and saw some recovery in math.
Key Takeaways
U.S. test results released Wednesday show that while younger students have regained ground academically after the pandemic, older students' scores continue to stagnate.
- Nine-year-olds rebounded to pre-pandemic reading levels and improved in math.
- Thirteen-year-olds' average scores in math and reading remain below pre-pandemic averages.
- The latest reading scores for teenagers are at 1971 levels, showing no progress over five decades.
- Only 14% of 13-year-olds read for fun every day, down from 27% in 2012 and a peak of 37% in 1992.
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▼Source Claims Check
1 Difference FoundAll 3 publishers report consistent facts across 3 key claims. 1 point of difference noted.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Scores For Thirteen-year-olds | 0 Differences | All publishers report same reading scores for thirteen-year-olds | ▼ |
| Reading Scores For Nine-year-olds | Broad Agreement | Rebounded to pre-pandemic levels | |
| Math Scores For Nine-year-olds | Broad Agreement | Improved since 2022 | |
| Math Scores For Thirteen-year-olds | Broad Agreement | Below pre-pandemic averages |
Reading Scores For Thirteen-year-olds
▼All publishers report same reading scores for thirteen-year-olds
Reading Scores For Nine-year-olds
Broad AgreementRebounded to pre-pandemic levels
Math Scores For Nine-year-olds
Broad AgreementImproved since 2022
Math Scores For Thirteen-year-olds
Broad AgreementBelow pre-pandemic averages
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The same recovery has not emerged for 13-year-olds, whose average scores in math and reading remain below pre-pandemic averages. In fact, the latest reading scores from teenagers who took the test in 2024 are essentially the same level as they were when the test started in 1971.
Since the pandemic, schools and state policymakers have focused on overhauling instruction for elementary students, especially in implementing the 'science of reading,' which teaches kids to read by understanding how letters form sounds. However, recent test scores show educators should also focus more intensely on adolescent learners and turning around academic outcomes in middle school.
Lesley Muldoon, executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues. 'The 13-year-olds who took this assessment last year are headed to high school now or are already enrolled,' she said. 'Schools won't have them much longer. We can't hesitate or wait if we're going to turn these trends around.'
The test results show younger kids are improving foundational skills, such as identifying facts in a simple news article or understanding basic multiplication and division. Seventy-one percent of 9-year-olds reached the benchmark in reading, and 84% reached that level in math, a few percentage points higher than in 2022.
Teenagers are tested on more advanced skills, such as making generalizations from a reading passage and comparing information from charts and graphs. Only 58% met the benchmark skill level in reading and 70% in math, with no statistically significant improvement from 2023. Compounding the issue of stagnant literacy rates: Fewer students than ever are reading for fun.
Students who took the test also completed a survey. Only 14% of 13-year-olds said they read for fun every day, down from 27% in 2012 and a peak of 37% in 1992. Among 9-year-olds, 37% said they read for fun every day, a significant decline from 53% in 2012.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 3 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.