American high-school seniors\u2019 scores on major math and reading tests fell to their lowest levels on record, according to results released Tuesday by the U.S. Education Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Twelfth-graders\u2019 average math score was the worst since the current test began in 2005, and reading was below any point since that assessment started in 1992. The share of 12th-graders who were proficient slid by 2 percentage points between 2019 and 2024\u2014to 35% in reading and 22% in math.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There also were drops in the proportion of students who were able to reach at least a basic level of performance, a tier below proficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results are from tests that are part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, administered to tens of thousands of students in early 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The declines deepen slides that began before the pandemic, and are the latest in a procession of gloomy data<\/a> showing that U.S. students are learning less than several years ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read it all<\/a>.<\/p> Reading & Math scores for high school seniors in America have fallen to their lowest level on record w\/ 68% achieving a "basic" level of performance in Reading & 55% in Math. The % of 12th-graders who were "proficient" also fell to record lows: 35% in Reading and 22% in Math. pic.twitter.com\/DnRQ1SMwY6<\/a><\/p>— Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) September 9, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>