California Faces Persistent Declines in Student Reading and Math Scores
Statewide test results show minimal progress and widening achievement gaps despite increased education funding and reforms.
Overview
- The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress data reveals California's fourth and eighth graders continue to score below national averages in reading and math.
- Fourth-grade math scores showed slight improvement but remain below pre-pandemic levels, while eighth-grade math scores declined further.
- Reading scores for both grades fell again, with California students scoring nine points below the national average in 2024, compared to eight points in 2017.
- Disparities between high- and low-performing students have widened, with the lowest-performing students experiencing the steepest declines since 2019.
- Efforts to address the achievement gap include increased per-student spending, early literacy screening, and universal free lunches, but experts highlight the need to adopt evidence-based teaching methods like phonics.