National Assessment Reveals Mixed Trends in Student Performance

Recent results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress indicate an increase in average reading and math scores for 9-year-olds from 2022 to 2025. These scores show younger students are improving in these areas after years of decline. “I think this is an optimistic release,” said Matthew Soldner, acting commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, to NPR.

The long-term trend (LTT) report provides a nationwide analysis of progress for students aged 9 and 13 in reading and math. These tests have a long history, employing consistent questions since the 1970s. Conducted on paper, the exams involve over 30,000 students between October 2024 and March 2025.

Key Findings

Nine-year-olds Show Improvements

The latest assessment shows progress for younger students in reading and math. “It’s fantastic,” noted Soldner, highlighting gains across all performance levels, even among lower-performing students. He credited part of the improvement to these students being 4 years old when the pandemic began, missing fewer essential lessons in their early school years.

Challenges for 13-year-olds

However, the report highlights a significant issue with 13-year-olds showing no notable improvements. Their reading scores remain below pre-pandemic levels across various demographics, including Hispanic, white, and economically disadvantaged students. Since the pandemic disrupted key educational stages for these students, their performance has stagnated compared to historical data.

Decline in Leisure Reading

The survey also reveals a drop in the number of students reading for enjoyment. In 1984, 35% of 13-year-olds read for fun daily; in recent years, this decreased to 14%. Among 9-year-olds, 37% now read daily for enjoyment, reflecting a notable decline over time.

Math Progress for 13-year-olds Reversed

From 1978 to 2012, 13-year-olds’ math scores improved significantly. However, the latest results indicate many of these gains have been lost, particularly among the lowest-performing students. Lesley Muldoon of the National Assessment Governing Board urged focus on middle school years to recapture improvement.

Future of the Long-term Trend Report

Due to recent cuts in the U.S. Education Department, particularly under the Trump administration in 2025, this is the last LTT report for the foreseeable future. Reductions included substantial layoffs at the Institute of Education Sciences and the cancellation of many assessments until 2032. These tests’ questions won’t appear again until 2033.