US Student Test Scores Hit Historic Lows Across Key Subjects
US 8th and 12th graders' science, reading, and math scores have significantly declined, reaching multi-decade lows, accompanied by increased absenteeism and widening achievement gaps.
U.S. teens score low in math, science, and reading assessments
World News Group
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Overview
- US 8th graders' average science scores declined between 2019 and 2024, hitting their lowest since 2009, also showing a return of the gender gap in STEM.
- American 12th graders' reading and math scores have plummeted to a 20-year low, marking the lowest marks since tests began in 1992 and 2005, respectively.
- Nearly a third of 12th graders in 2024 reported missing three or more days of school, indicating a concerning trend in student attendance alongside academic declines.
- A significant portion of 12th graders performed below the NAEP Basic achievement level in math (45%) and reading (almost a third), highlighting widespread academic struggles.
- Recent assessments reveal the widest gaps ever recorded between the lowest- and highest-performing students, indicating growing disparities in educational outcomes across the nation.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the severity of declining student scores with loaded language, then pivot to suggest future political actions could worsen the situation. They connect the "dire" educational landscape to potential funding cuts by specific political figures, implying a causal link for future declines rather than solely focusing on the immediate data and its established causes.
"The drop in overall scores coincides with significant declines in achievement among our lowest-performing students, continuing a downward trend that began even before the COVID-19 pandemic."
CBS News"The latest results show high school students across public and private schools backsliding in math, science and reading in 2024, continuing a decade-long decline in student performance nationally."
USA TODAY"The kids are not doing so alright."
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FAQ
US student test scores have declined significantly in science, reading, and math across 8th and 12th graders.
Nearly a third of 12th graders in 2024 reported missing three or more days of school, indicating increased absenteeism which correlates with the declines in academic performance.
There are now the widest achievement gaps ever recorded between the lowest- and highest-performing students, highlighting growing disparities in educational outcomes nationwide.
US 8th graders' average science scores have declined between 2019 and 2024, reaching their lowest levels since 2009, and the gender gap in STEM subjects has reappeared.
Officials such as Chairman Walberg have described the declines as devastating and urgent, emphasizing that low academic skills threaten national success and security, though specific policy responses were not detailed in the sources.
History
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