U.S. teens score low in math, science, and reading assessments

Test scores for eighth and 12th grade students declined from 2019 to 2024, according to a Tuesday report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The results are the first post-pandemic scores for the eighth grade science assessment, the 12th grade math assessment, and the 12th grade reading assessment. In addition to the test scores, the report also showed that nearly one-third of 12th graders reported missing three or more days of school in the previous month in 2024, compared to 26% in 2019. More seniors scored below basic achievement level in math and reading than in any previous assessment, said National Center for Education Statistics acting Commissioner Matthew Soldner. The results indicated that the achievement gap among students was widening despite billions of dollars of federal funding spent on education, said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

What else did the report show? The eighth grade science score in 2024 was not measurably different than in 2009, when the assessment began. The decline was evident among all students, even those who previously scored higher, and the gap between the lowest and highest scoring students was higher last year than any previous year.

Meanwhile, 12th grade math scores were lower than when the assessment began in 2005. Scores declined between 2019 and 2024 for all but the highest performing students. The average 12th grade reading score last year was also lower than any previous assessment and nearly one-third performed below the basic achievement level. About 26% of 12th graders said they were interested in and enjoyed reading, up from 25% in 2019.

Dig deeper: Read my report from January about fourth and eighth grade reading scores.