Nation's Report Card Shows Historic Declines in US 8th Grade, High School Academic Proficiency

The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the Nation's Report Card, reveals significant declines in academic performance among U.S. students, particularly high school seniors. Reading and math scores for 12th graders hit historic lows, with 78% not proficient in math and 65% not proficient in reading, and science proficiency among 8th graders remains low at 31%. The data also indicate a widening achievement gap, as low-performing students have fallen further behind while only top performers have maintained their scores. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and President Trump have responded by advocating for returning control of education to states, emphasizing local innovation and parental involvement over federal spending. The report highlights concerns about college readiness, with a drop in students meeting proficiency benchmarks, alongside rising absenteeism rates among high school seniors. These sobering results, which continue a downward trend predating the COVID-19 pandemic, have prompted calls for focused action to address the nation's educational challenges.