Vermont students’ reading, math declines reflected in national achievement data

BARRE, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont students -- like those across the country -- continue to struggle with math and reading.

The National Assessment of Education Progress tests released this week were the first since the pandemic for eighth graders in science and 12th graders in reading and math.

In reading, the average score in 2024 was the lowest score in the history of the assessment, which began in 1992. Thirty-two percent of high school seniors scored below “basic,” meaning they were not able to find details in a text to help them understand its meaning.

In math, the average score in 2024 was the lowest since 2005, when the assessment framework changed significantly.

Vermont Education Secretary Zoie Saunders says the state is very concerned about the declining scores. She says they start