Overview:
In 2024, the Nationwide Evaluation of Academic Progress (NAEP), the nation’s largest persevering with measure of pupil achievement, examined about 23,000 eighth-graders in science, 19,300 twelfth-graders in math, and 24,300 twelfth-graders in studying.
Scholar efficiency in key topics has dropped sharply within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, in response to the newest Nation’s Report Card that was launched simply after midnight. The brand new outcomes from the Nationwide Evaluation of Academic Progress (NAEP) present common rating declines between 2019 and 2024 for eighth graders in science and for twelfth graders in arithmetic and studying.
“These outcomes are sobering,” mentioned NCES Performing Commissioner Matthew Soldner. “The drop in general scores coincides with vital declines in achievement amongst our lowest-performing college students, persevering with a downward development that started even earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic. Amongst our nation’s highschool seniors, we’re now seeing a bigger proportion of scholars scoring under the NAEP Fundamental achievement degree in arithmetic and studying than in any earlier evaluation.”
The 2024 outcomes additionally spotlight rising absenteeism with practically one-third of twelfth graders (31 p.c) reported lacking three or extra days of college within the earlier month—up from 26 p.c in 2019.
Eighth Grade Science
For the primary time since NAEP started monitoring science in 2009, common eighth-grade scores fell. College students throughout efficiency ranges noticed declines, with the steepest drops among the many lowest performers.
- 31% of eighth graders scored at or above the Proficient degree in 2024, 4 factors decrease than in 2019.
- 38% scored under the Fundamental degree, 5 factors greater than in 2019.
Scores declined within the Northeast, Midwest, and South, however remained regular within the West. American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, and White college students all noticed drops. Boys as soon as once more outperformed ladies after the hole had closed in 2019.
“Layered on prime of the eighth-grade NAEP scores we launched earlier this yr for arithmetic and studying, the brand new science information clearly underscore ongoing struggles for college kids who’re embarking on their highschool careers,” Soldner mentioned.
Twelfth Grade Arithmetic
Twelfth-grade math scores hit their lowest level since 2005.
- 22% of scholars reached Proficient, down two factors since 2019.
- 45% scored under Fundamental, 5 factors greater than in each 2019 and 2005.
The South and West noticed the biggest declines. Scores dropped for Black, Hispanic, and White college students alike, and for each girls and boys. Solely the highest-performing college students averted vital losses.
Confidence additionally slipped: 36 p.c of twelfth graders mentioned they felt assured of their math expertise in 2024, down from 38 p.c in 2019. School readiness adopted the identical development, with simply 33 p.c deemed academically ready—down from 37 p.c 5 years earlier.
Twelfth Grade Studying
Studying efficiency additionally declined to its lowest level on report.
- 35% of scholars scored Proficient or greater, down from 37 p.c in 2019 and 40 p.c in 1992.
- 32% scored under Fundamental, up two factors since 2019 and 12 factors since 1992.
Scores dropped most within the Midwest and South, with feminine and White college students seeing notable declines. Whereas general achievement slipped, pupil curiosity in studying nudged upward: 26 p.c reported excessive enjoyment of studying in 2024, in contrast with 25 p.c in 2019.
School readiness in studying additionally fell barely, from 37 p.c in 2019 to 35 p.c in 2024.
NAEP, administered by the Nationwide Heart for Training Statistics, is the biggest persevering with evaluation of U.S. college students’ information and expertise. In 2024, roughly 23,000 eighth-graders have been assessed in science, 19,300 twelfth graders in math, and 24,300 twelfth-graders in studying.
