The Nation's Report Card Is In
If you've been wondering about the state of education, the latest Nation’s Report Card just dropped, and the results are a mixed bag—with some progress in math but alarming declines in reading. Let’s break it all down…
📊 What Is the Nation’s Report Card?
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, is the largest nationally representative assessment of student achievement in the U.S. Every two years, fourth and eighth graders are assessed in the areas of math and reading. The results give policymakers, educators, and parents a big-picture look at how students are performing nationwide.
🔎 The 2024 Results: The Good, the Bad, and the Alarming
✔️ The Good News
Fourth-grade math scores improved slightly compared to 2022.
Eighth-grade math scores held steady rather than declining further.
Chronic absenteeism has slightly decreased since 2022.
❌ The Bad News
Reading scores hit a 30-year low for both fourth and eighth graders.
The gap between high and low performers widened, meaning struggling students are falling further behind.
In eighth-grade reading, no state showed improvement compared to previous years.
📉 The Harsh Reality: Only 31% of fourth graders and 30% of eighth graders scored at or above proficiency in reading, and the lowest-performing students are now scoring worse than their counterparts did 30 years ago.
📖 Why Reading Scores Are Declining
While the pandemic disrupted learning, reading struggles didn’t start with COVID. Scores have been declining since 2015, and experts suggest several contributing factors:
Less reading for fun: NAEP data shows that fewer students enjoy reading than ever before.
Increased screen time: A rise in smartphone and tablet use may be shifting reading habits.
Gaps in foundational skills: Many students missed key literacy milestones in early grades and never fully caught up.
These declines matter because strong reading skills impact all areas of learning, including writing, critical thinking, and even math fluency.
🏫 What Can Parents Do?
1️⃣ Be Proactive About Reading at Home
Encourage a consistent reading routine—even 10-15 minutes a day can help. Audiobooks, graphic novels, and read-alouds all count!
2️⃣ Address Skill Gaps with Evidence-Based Support
If your child is struggling with reading comprehension, decoding, or fluency, interventions like structured literacy programs that we offer can bridge these gaps.
3️⃣ Support Executive Functioning & Study Habits
Reading success isn’t just about decoding words - it’s also about organization, attention, and processing skills. If your child struggles with reading endurance or focus, targeted executive functioning support can help.
4️⃣ Keep Attendance a Priority
Students who miss school frequently are more likely to struggle academically. If your child has been absent often, building a support team in alliance with your child’s school is crucial.