9/1/22 - New Education Survey Finds Significant Drops in Scores

Declines in reading and math scores have educators, and parents, across the country concerned.

While there have been other reports about the effects of the pandemic on education, the newest set of numbers showed some dramatic results in reading and math. 

The National Center for Education Statistics released new data showing declines in both those areas from 2020 to today.  The survey of nine year olds showed a five percent decrease in reading scores, the largest drop since 1990.  When it came to math, the survey found a seven percent decrease in math – that’s the first time it’s ever dropped since the survey was first conducted in the 1970’s. 

Other significant findings include how the pandemic affected students who were already behind in both reading and math.  The scores reflected a further decline for students in the lower percentiles, almost twice as much for those students compared with the average.

The gap between higher performers and lower performing students also increased.  While this may be for multiple reasons, the survey did not specifically address wage or income issues.  The survey did find that higher performing students had greater access to technology, quite places to study, and the availability of a teacher for most of the day. 

You can learn more by visiting the National Center for Education Statistics Survey.

You can also find a statement from the NCES Here.