The US Department of Education released the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on 8/9/2024, revealing that average reading and math scores for 12th-grade students have dropped to their lowest levels ever. The NAEP, also known as the "nation's report card," is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas.

The new assessment, administered to tens of thousands of students nationwide in 2024, shows that roughly a third of 12th graders lack basic reading skills, and nearly half lack basic math skills.

In reading, two-thirds of 12th graders could identify the purpose of a persuasive essay, but only one-fifth could draw conclusions from it based on textual evidence.

In math, 60% of students could calculate the population of an area given data on area and density. However, fewer than 50% could correctly translate a real-world situation into an algebraic expression.

12th graders pose for photos outside Union High School in Vermont on 28/8. *Photo: AP*

The percentage of 12th graders performing at or above the proficient level in both subjects also declined. Proficiency dropped two percentage points compared to 2019, down to 35% in reading and 22% in math.

This decline continues a trend that began before the Covid-19 pandemic and is the latest evidence that American students are performing worse academically than they were a few years ago.

This learning loss is widespread and evident in state tests and college entrance exams. According to the *Wall Street Journal* (*WSJ*), it affects most school districts across the country.

"American students are entering adulthood with less fundamental knowledge and skills than a decade ago," said Lesley Muldoon, executive director of the NAEP governing board. "This occurs at a time when rapid technological and societal advancements are setting higher, not lower, expectations for the future workforce and citizenry."

Students who were already struggling academically tend to fall further behind, widening the gap between the top and bottom performers. The average scores for female students dropped faster than for male students, according to NAEP data.

Researchers note that many factors, both inside and outside of school, affect student achievement, and it is difficult to pinpoint the exact causes behind these overall figures.

Duc Trung (*Newsweek*, *WSJ*)