Decades of academic progress has been erased after data referred to as the "nation's report card" showed on Monday that student math scores have experienced their most significant decrease ever while reading scores remain at a 30-year low.
The data showed that kids on the cusp of high school were impacted more than others, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Data also showed math scores, in particular, took a larger hit than reading, but both saw no improvement in any state or big city.
Math scores for eighth graders plummeted in 49 states, with Utah being the only one to hold steady. Currently, in the grade, nearly four in 10 students perform below basic achievement levels in math, the report found.
The national average math score for fourth grade has fallen five points since 2019 and eight points for eighth grade. Out of a possible 500, fourth graders scored 236, and eighth graders scored 274.
Reading scores have also plummeted, sitting at levels last seen in 1992 as scores have dropped by three points at both grade levels. Fourth graders scored 217, and eighth graders 260.
The U.S. Department of Education administers the test to the two grade levels. Peggy Carr, who works for the National Center for Education Statistics, told the New York Post that the math results are at "historic" levels.
"[T]hey are the largest declines in mathematics we have observed in the entire history of this assessment," Carr said.
Katie Pekel, from the University of Minnesota, joined News Talk 830 WCCO's Jordana Green and Adam Carter to discuss the standardized tests. She shared that while many say the results are due to the pandemic, she says, "we're not sure yet."
Pekel shared that the test is sample-based, meaning only a handful of students take it, not the entire grade, but even still, she says it is a fair representation. She also noted that it doesn't give much information to parents, teachers, or administration, but it does give a lot to governors and those within the Department of Education.
"It does not tell us why something goes up or down. That's something we have to dig into at a practice and policy level at the state," Pekel said.
She also noted that the tests are "incredibly accurate" when it comes to the accuracy of the testing results relating to kids' learning levels.
Pekel says that right now, there is only correlation data, not causation, when it comes to the pandemic impacting these scores. She says that until we get our next data point in two years, we won't know if we will come out of this slip or if we are just on a downward trend.
Federal officials like Education secretary Miguel Cardona have noted their worry after the data showed that 43 states and jurisdictions saw a drop in fourth-grade math scores, and 51 did in eighth grade. For reading, scores dropped in 30 states and jurisdictions for fourth-grade scores and 33 in eighth-grade scores.
"This is the moment of truth for education," Cardona said during a briefing with reporters. "How we respond to this will determine not only our recovery, but our nation's standing in the world."
While it is still worrisome to see a drop in reading scores, Carr pointed out the importance of learning math in school.
"Math is just simply more sensitive to schooling. You really need teachers to teach math. Reading, on the other hand, is something that parents and community, they are more comfortable … helping students with," Carr said.
While many are calling for action to get students back on pace, Pekel says that we can't just rush into things, blaming them on the pandemic, as we don't know how the trend will continue.
As for how educators feel, a poll done by the U.S. Department of Education found that half of the teachers who filled out the poll feel either "quite" or "extremely" confident that they can help address learning gaps currently facing students.
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