Hawaii, NH Show Resilience in Education Gains

The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) revealed both positive and concerning trends in U.S. education. New Hampshire demonstrated strong performance, ranking in the top 10% for reading and top 12% for math in both fourth and eighth grades, outperforming the national average despite ongoing challenges in closing the gap for disadvantaged students. Hawaii also showed significant improvement, particularly in fourth-grade math, surpassing the national average and marking a notable recovery from pandemic-induced setbacks. However, the national results highlighted growing inequalities, with higher-performing students regaining lost ground while lower-performing students continue to fall behind. This disparity has sparked renewed debate on the impacts of pandemic school closures and the varying recovery rates across different regions. States like Hawaii and New Hampshire serve as examples of resilience and effective educational strategies amidst broader educational challenges.