National Report Card Shows Declining Scores 8th, 12th Graders

Recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the Nation's Report Card, reveal a nationwide decline in academic performance among eighth and twelfth graders in science, math, and reading between 2019 and 2024. Only about one-third of 12th graders are now proficient or ready for college-level coursework in math and reading, marking the lowest scores ever reported on these assessments. These declines, which predate but have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, are observed across multiple student groups with widening achievement gaps between the highest- and lowest-performing students, as well as persistent disparities linked to gender and race. Arkansas students reflect this troubling national trend, with scores below the national average and notable declines among economically disadvantaged students and girls in science. Education leaders emphasize the need for sustained, targeted interventions focusing on equity and hands-on learning to address these challenges and improve future college and career readiness. Meanwhile, broader educational attainment among adults shows improvement, with nearly half now holding some form of postsecondary credential, indicating a complex landscape of educational progress and setbacks in the United States.