I worked at the Tennessee Department of Education when the state was among the nation’s fastest improving on NAEP.

As we celebrated those milestones, we also acknowledged that we had a long way to go. 

This year’s Nation’s Report Card continues to paint a troubling picture of post pandemic educational recovery:

  • Record levels of students scoring below “basic” on reading—33% of eighth graders and 40% of fourth graders—and drops in overall scores.
  • Widening achievement gaps between high achievers and low achievers across subjects with highest-performing students largely recovering in math and lesser declines in reading.
  • Socioeconomic disparities remain stark, with 77% of high-income students performing above the national average in reading, compared to just 34% of students from low-income backgrounds​.
  • Chronic absenteeism remains a major issue, with more students missing 10% or more of school days than pre-pandemic levels.

Overall the data gives reason for concern. 

While high-achieving students have largely rebounded, many struggling learners remain behind with widening achievement gaps. Socioeconomic disparities persist, with low-income students disproportionately scoring below proficiency. Chronic absenteeism further compounds these challenges, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to support all students in reaching grade-level proficiency. 

But it’s not all bad news. Nationally, fourth grade math scores saw a modest improvement, although gains are concentrated in middle- and higher-performing students.

Some states are also beating the odds.

  • Alabama is one of four states (AL, LA, SC, and WV) to outpace its 2019 scores for grade 4 math, but the only to see significant results—and the first state to pass a comprehensive math bill in 2022. It shot up from 28% to a state record 37% proficiency
  • Louisiana, which has made historic investments in statewide literacy efforts and professional development programs for teachers​, was the only state to see significant gains in fourth-grade reading scores surpassing 2019 levels from 26% to 32% proficiency. Louisiana also improved grade 4 math proficiency from 29% to 35%.
  • Tennessee outpaced the national proficiency rate for both math and reading in grades 4 and 8—nearly rebounding to pre-pandemic levels—but still hovering around 3 or 4 students for every 10. 

Districts saw more gains than states in grade 4 math and reading. Miami-Dade and LAUSD are among the handful of districts making math gains. Miami-Dade boasted 49% proficiency on grade 4 math. LAUSD is the only district to increase math proficiency rates in eighth grade. (They are also two of the six districts in the National Math Improvement Project community of practice).

Key Findings from 2024 Results

Math:
  • Fourth grade math scores increased by two points from 2022 but remain three points lower than in 2019. We have yet to return to pre-pandemic proficiency levels​.
  • Eighth grade math scores showed no improvement from 2022. What’s worse, lower-performing students actually lost ground, deepening achievement gaps​.
Reading: 
  • 33% of eighth graders are now classified as below “Basic,” marking the greatest percentage ever recorded in the test’s three-decade history​.
  • 40% of fourth graders scored below “Basic,” the highest rate in two decades​.
Widening achievement gaps: 
  • The highest-performing students (75th percentile and above) have largely recovered in math but low-performing students (25th percentile and below) continue to slide, particularly in reading​.
  • The gap between top and bottom performers is now the widest in NAEP history, particularly in eighth grade math and reading​.