U.S. High School Students Experience Decline in Math and Reading Skills

Experts attribute the decline to a combination of factors, including increased screen time, shorter attention spans, and a reduction in exposure to longer, complex texts. Carol Jago, associate director of the California Reading and Literature Project at UCLA, noted that changes in curriculum have shifted focus toward shorter texts and excerpts. As a high school English teacher two decades ago, Jago’s students read an average of 20 books annually, whereas some current classes assign as few as three books per year.

“To be a good reader, you have to have the stamina to stay on the page, even when the going gets tough,” Jago explained, stressing the importance of building reading skills over time.

Widening Achievement Gaps

Additionally, the latest NAEP results reveal widening achievement gaps among students. Lesley Muldoon, executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board, pointed out that the disparity between the highest- and lowest-performing students in eighth-grade science is the largest recorded. This trend reflects growing inequality in the U.S. education system.

The scores also indicate a re-emergence of a gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. In 2019, boys and girls performed similarly on the NAEP science assessment, but by 2024, girls experienced a more pronounced decline in scores. This trend is echoed in state-level math assessments, suggesting that special programs aimed at engaging girls have diminished since the pandemic.

Christine Cunningham, senior vice president of STEM learning at the Museum of Science in Boston, noted that students’ hands-on learning experiences were disrupted during the pandemic. “We don’t know exactly what the cause of it is, but it would be incomplete to assume that if we hadn’t had COVID, the score would not have gone down,” she said.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon responded to the findings by underscoring the need for reform in educational funding. “Despite spending billions annually on numerous K-12 programs, the achievement gap is widening, and more high school seniors are performing below the basic benchmark in math and reading than ever before,” McMahon stated.

As the educational landscape continues to evolve, these results serve as a critical reminder of the challenges facing American students. The ongoing decline in foundational academic skills poses significant implications for future generations, necessitating immediate and focused actions to reverse these trends.