US Students Lag in Reading, Math Post-Pandemic, NAEP Reports

The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the Nation's Report Card, reveals that U.S. fourth and eighth graders are still struggling to recover from pandemic-related learning losses, with average reading scores declining by 2 points since 2022 and remaining 5 points below pre-pandemic levels. In math, fourth graders showed a slight improvement of 2 points, while eighth graders' scores remained stagnant, resulting in fourth graders being 3 points and eighth graders 8 points behind their 2019 performances. Alarmingly, only 31% of fourth graders and 30% of eighth graders achieved 'NAEP proficient' levels in reading, both figures down from previous years. South Carolina students have fared slightly better, with scores that align with or exceed national averages, though significant performance gaps persist between high and low achievers. Nationally, one-third of eighth graders scored below 'basic' in reading, marking the highest rate in NAEP history, indicating a pressing need for effective educational interventions. The overall results underscore ongoing challenges in the American education system, despite substantial federal investments aimed at recovery.