Declining Reading Skills Among U.S. Students: 2024 NAEP Report

 

Recent results from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) indicate a continuous decline in reading proficiency among U.S. students since the pandemic. One-third of eighth-grade students scored below the basic reading level, marking the lowest performance recorded in 30 years.

While math scores showed slight improvement, they have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, the gap between high-achieving and low-achieving students has widened significantly.

Causes and Concerns Education experts have expressed concern over these findings, attributing the decline to pandemic-related school closures and remote learning. Chronic absenteeism and decreasing student interest in reading have also been identified as contributing factors.

Efforts to Address the Issue In response to these challenges, some regions have implemented reforms in reading instruction and introduced foundational literacy programs. For instance, Louisiana has adopted a ‘science of reading’ approach, which has yielded some positive results.

However, experts argue that broader educational policy changes and enhanced student support programs are essential for a full recovery in academic performance. The U.S. Department of Education has emphasized the need for further intervention to address these issues.