Outline:
Declining Academic Performance Among U.S. High School Seniors
Recent test results from the U.S. Department of Education have revealed a concerning trend in the academic performance of high school seniors. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which is the largest and most comprehensive assessment of education in the United States, as many as 45% of students lack basic math skills, while over 30% struggle with fundamental reading abilities. These figures represent the lowest levels recorded in more than three decades.
The data highlights a significant decline in both math and reading scores for 12th graders. The average scores have dropped to their lowest point in the history of the assessment, raising alarms among educators and policymakers. This downward trend has been ongoing for years, with some experts suggesting that the challenges began even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Math Skills: A Growing Concern
In mathematics, the findings show that while 60% of students can calculate population using population density and area, fewer than half can accurately translate real-life situations into algebraic expressions. The NAEP mathematics assessment evaluates students across four key areas: number properties and operations; measurement and geometry; data analysis, statistics, and probability; and algebra. It also tests their ability to solve problems in both mathematical and real-world contexts.
The report indicates that 45% of 12th graders scored below the NAEP Basic achievement level, a five percentage point increase compared to both 2019 and 2005. Only 22% of students reached the Proficient level in 2024, which is two points lower than in 2019. Students at the Proficient level were generally able to find the perimeter and area of a figure created by cutting four corners from a square.
Reading Proficiency: Mixed Results
In reading, the results are equally troubling. Two-thirds of students could identify the purpose of a persuasive essay, but only one in five could draw conclusions from a text using provided data. The NAEP reading assessment uses both literary and informational texts to evaluate comprehension, including the ability to locate and recall information, integrate and interpret what they read, and critique and evaluate texts.
Thirty-two percent of 12th graders performed below the NAEP Basic level in 2024, which is two points higher than in 2019 and 12 points higher than in 1992. Students at the Basic level were typically able to locate and identify relevant details to support literal comprehension.
Expert Reactions and Calls for Action
The results have prompted strong reactions from education officials. Matthew Soldner, Acting Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), described the findings as “sobering.” He noted that the drop in overall scores aligns with significant declines in achievement among the lowest-performing students, continuing a trend that began well before the pandemic.
Linda McMahon, the U.S. Secretary of Education, called the results a “devastating trend.” In a department statement, she emphasized the importance of addressing these issues, particularly as students prepare to enter the workforce, military, or higher education. She highlighted that nearly half of high school seniors are testing at below-basic levels in math and reading, despite billions of dollars spent on K-12 programs.
McMahon stressed the need for improvement, stating that for America to remain globally competitive, students must be able to read proficiently, think critically, and graduate equipped to solve complex problems. She concluded by saying, “We owe it to them to do better.”