U.S. Students at Historic Lows in Reading and Math: Report Warns of Widening Achievement Gap
The latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often called the Nation’s Report Card, paint a sobering picture of American education. High school students — particularly seniors — are performing at historic lows in reading, mathematics, and science.
Released by the National Center for Education Statistics in collaboration with the Department of Education, the 2025 report is the first comprehensive national assessment since the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that academic recovery has stalled and, in some areas, reversed.
Reading and Math at Critical Lows
According to the report, nearly half of high school seniors tested below the “basic” level in math and reading. Only 35% demonstrated reading skills at or above proficiency, while 32% were below even the basic threshold. By comparison, 37% of seniors met or exceeded proficiency in 2019, and 40% did so in 1992.
The situation in mathematics is even more concerning. Just 22% of 12th graders reached proficiency or higher, marking one of the lowest levels since nationwide assessments began.
For younger students, the picture is only slightly better. Among eighth graders, 31% scored at or above proficiency in science, suggesting that challenges are visible well before high school graduation.
Absenteeism on the Rise
The report also highlighted a troubling rise in absenteeism. In 2024, approximately 31% of 12th graders reported missing three or more school days in the previous month — up from 26% in 2019. Chronic absenteeism, educators warn, has a compounding effect on achievement, widening gaps for students already at risk of falling behind.
A “Devastating Trend”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon did not mince words when responding to the findings. “Today’s NAEP results confirm a devastating trend: American students are testing at historic lows across all of K–12,” she said. Despite billions of dollars invested annually in education, she noted that achievement gaps are growing and more students are performing below basic benchmarks than ever before.
The Department of Education itself has undergone major restructuring in recent years. Under McMahon’s leadership, staff reductions included cuts to the very researchers who helped compile the report. At the same time, President Donald Trump has directed efforts to shift education oversight from federal control to the states.
“Success isn’t about how much money we spend, but who controls the money and where that money is invested,” McMahon emphasized.
Widening Gaps Between Students
Marty West, a professor of education at Harvard University, expressed concern about the distribution of the declines. “What troubles me most about the patterns we’re seeing is that the declines are largest for our lowest-performing students — those in the bottom quarter of the distribution,” West told ABC News.
Meanwhile, students performing at the top levels — those in the 90th percentile — have remained relatively stable. “This really highlights the extent to which American schools are preparing only some students for success at the post-secondary level,” West said.
The Pandemic Effect — and Beyond
Experts point out that the pandemic accelerated many of these challenges but did not create them entirely. Years of widening inequality, underfunded schools, teacher shortages, and shifting priorities in curricula have all contributed to declining performance. Remote learning, while necessary during the pandemic, left lasting gaps for students without reliable technology or supportive learning environments.
For students already struggling, missed instruction time compounded existing disadvantages, creating what educators now call “unfinished learning.”
What Comes Next?
The NAEP results call for urgent action. Policymakers and educators alike stress that recovery will not be possible without direct intervention. Solutions may include targeted tutoring, expanded literacy and math support, investments in teacher training, and a renewed emphasis on attendance and engagement.
Some experts argue for a stronger focus on early intervention. Research has long shown that literacy and numeracy skills developed in the early grades predict later academic success. Without addressing these gaps at their roots, high school remediation may be too late for many students.
A Crossroads for American Education
The Nation’s Report Card serves as both a warning and a call to action. With proficiency levels at historic lows, the United States faces the prospect of graduating a generation less prepared for college, careers, and civic life.
The challenge now lies in mobilizing resources, addressing inequities, and ensuring that every student — not only those at the top — has access to the education they deserve.
As the data makes clear, the stakes could not be higher. How the country responds in the coming years will shape not only the lives of millions of students but also the future competitiveness and vitality of the nation itself.