Student Scores Plummet on Nation’s Report Card

Quick Summary

• U.S. student test scores, measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), show a slump in college adn career readiness and a decline in science knowledge.
• Average reading and math scores for 12th graders in 2024 were the lowest on record:

– Math score average was 147/300, with only 22% achieving proficiency.- Reading score average was 283/500, with only 35% reaching proficiency.

• Eighth-grade science scores also declined; the average now equals levels recorded in 2009, with only 31% achieving proficient or higher levels. The gender gap re-emerged favoring boys over girls after narrowing in previous years.
• Lower-performing students across tests saw steeper declines than higher-performing counterparts, highlighting widening educational disparities post-pandemic.
• Experts raise concerns about these trends’ long-term impact on workforce skills amid increasing societal dependence on STEM fields and rapid technological advancement.

Image source: National Center for Education Statistics/Jacob Turcotte

Indian Opinion Analysis
While this data pertains to U.S. education outcomes, its implications resonate globally given India’s growing investment in STEM education aimed at economic growth and innovation leadership.A decline like this among advanced economies signals a potential shift that could influence global competition for skilled workers-where India might see chance or challenges as it trains its own youth population amidst demand-driven markets dominated by technology sectors.

India’s policymakers must heed lessons from such trends elsewhere-prioritizing robust STEM curriculums alongside basic literacy improvements while ensuring inclusivity to avoid widening inequalities seen here post-pandemic recovery phases globally observed Read More: Link