U.S. high school students continue to lose ground in math and reading, as yearslong decline persists

U.S. high school students continue to lose ground in math and reading, as yearslong decline persists Education Sep 9, 2025 1:16 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A decade-long slide in high schoolers’ reading and math performance persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 12th graders’ scores dropping to their lowest level in more than 20 years, according to results released Tuesday from an exam known as the nation’s report card.

Eighth-grade students also lost significant ground in science skills, according to the results from the National Assessment of Education Progress.

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The assessments were the first since the pandemic for eighth graders in science and 12th graders in reading and math. They re