Pandemic Reading Decline Persists; Math Gains Uneven, Equity at Risk
Reading Scores Reflect Lingering Pandemic Impact
New 2025 testing data reveal that students from third to eighth grade remain significantly behind their 2019 reading proficiency levels. Despite some efforts to recover lost ground, overall reading scores continue to decline nationally, highlighting a persistent pandemic slump affecting literacy development across the country.
Mixed Progress in Math Achievement
While reading scores have fallen, math performance shows a more complex pattern. Certain grades have made modest gains since 2019, reflecting partial recovery in numeracy skills. However, these improvements are uneven and do not fully close the gap created by pandemic disruptions, leaving all grades below pre-pandemic benchmarks.
Implications for Educational Equity and Future Success
This ongoing academic lag poses critical challenges for educational equity, as students in lower-income and minority communities face greater declines. Addressing these disparities is essential to ensure all students can catch up and succeed, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted support and sustained policy attention.
