By Mare Pritchard OMAHA, Neb. – As 54 million children returned to school this fall, a new national report is raising alarms about the state of American education. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has released its biennial report showing student test scores are down in key subjects.
The NAEP is a nationwide program that tests students on core subjects. It releases the results of these tests in a report known as The Nation’s Report Card to help policymakers, educators and the public understand student achievement and improve education.
This year’s report card found students tested three points lower in 12th-grade math and reading and four points lower in eighth-grade science.
Twelfth-grade reading has fallen 10 points since 1992.
High school English teacher Landon Chapin says a few things could have led to the decline.
“I would say chronic absenteeism is a big effect or big cause. COVID was a massive one we are still uncovering, and the intensity of digital engagement right now is pretty impactful,” said Chapin.
These results come just months after President Trump signed an executive order to abolish the Department of Education. The department has already seen some major budget cuts, with more expected for the remainder of the year. However, the tests were conducted before these changes, suggesting the decline reflects a deeper, long-term problem in America’s classrooms.
With reading scores taking the biggest decline, Mario Rivera, a fifth-grade teacher, says his school has implemented a new program to help students with their reading skills.
“So at least in the fourth grade, a new change this year would be the specialists. At our school, music, P.E. and library only have one plan period instead of two, and the other plan time goes toward helping fourth grade. They come into the classroom and help with reading intervention,” said Rivera.
With uncertainty about the future of the Department of Education and looming budget cuts, Omaha-area educators are doing everything they can to help prepare their students.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon released a statement calling the results devastating and saying we owe it to students to do better. The next NAEP assessment will be conducted in the winter of 2026, with the results being released throughout 2027.
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