US Students’ Reading Scores Drop to Worst in More Than 20 Years

  • NAEP test assess reading, math among fourth, eighth graders
  • Number of students reading below lowest level has ballooned

US fourth- and eighth-grade students are struggling with reading comprehension with last year’s nationwide testing showing the worst results in over two decades.

Average reading scores deteriorated among students who took the Congressionally-mandated assessment in 2024, according to results released Wednesday from the National Assessment of Educational Progress.