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.

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.