Decline in K-12 National Reading, Math, Science Scores Probed By US Senate Panel

Just days after federal data revealed average reading, math and science scores dropped among certain grades since before the coronavirus pandemic, a U.S. Senate panel on Thursday picked apart the root causes and methods for students' academic improvement. From a report: The hearing in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions centered on the 'state of K-12 education' -- which GOP members on the committee described as 'troubling' -- in light of recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP.

NAEP, regarded as the gold standard for tracking students' academic performance, showed that average science scores for eighth-graders decreased by 4 points since before the pandemic, in 2019. Average math and reading scores for 12th-graders also fell 3 points between 2019 and 2024. The assessments were administered between January and March of 2024. Results also showed that just one-third of 12th-graders are considered academically prepared for college in math -- a drop from 37% in 2019.

The committee's chair, Sen. Bill Cassidy, said 'it should concern us that children's reading, math and science scores have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels.' The Louisiana Republican added that 'success in education is not determined by how much we spend, but by who makes the decision and how wisely resources are directed,' and 'when states and local communities are empowered to tailor solutions to meet the unique needs of students, innovation follows.' On the other hand, Sen. Bernie Sanders, ranking member of the panel, said that 'while we focus on education -- as important as that is -- we also have to focus on the conditions under which our children are living.'

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