The National Situation

Of course we all know that the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on our educational system, and the effects of that upheaval is still being felt by our students. In June 2023, the US Department of Education released its first testing results comparing where we are as a nation now vs. before the pandemic. This report is called the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and is commonly called “the nation’s report card.” This NAEP test was begun in 1969 and is considered one of the benchmarks by which educational progress can be considered and compared (Sabur).

Thousands of 4th and 8th grade students across the US were tested in late 2022. This was “the first nationally representative study of the pandemic’s impact on learning,” according to an Associated Press news article (AP news).

The results were alarming to educators, statisticians, parents, and governmental officials. Every geographic and demographic area suffered unprecedented educational declines due to the closing of schools during the pandemic. The disruptions from other large-scale disturbances, such as after Hurricane Katrina, paled in comparison (Kuhnfeld, et al). Reading scores greatly decreased. However, much more alarming, data showed the largest declines ever recorded in both subjects, especially in math.

The 2023 test scores represent the single biggest decline in achievement scores between tests since 1972 (Friedell). National average reading scores were 4 points lower, which is almost half a year. However, national average math scores were 8 points lower. This is alarming since “Researchers usually think of a 10- point gain or drop as equivalent to roughly a year of learning” (AP news).

According to Peggy G. Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, a branch of the Federal Department of Education, said, “This is a serious wakeup call for us all. In NAEP, when we experience a 1- or 2-point decline, we’re talking about it as a significant impact on a student’s achievement. In math, we experienced an 8-point decline – historic for this assessment.” (AP news).

Students who were strong in math prior to the pandemic showed average declines of 6-8 points on the NAEP test. However, students who were already struggling suffered the most, and displayed average declines of 12-14 points.

Also, all demographic areas showed decreased scores, but certain groups were more impacted than others (Friedell). Black students across the nation displayed a 13-point drop in math scores. Native American students across the country showed an even greater average drop of 20 points in math scores (Sabur). This means the average Native American student lost approximately 2 years of math abilities from where we were before the pandemic, to today.

Carr also said these data are “worrisome signs about student achievement,” even 2 years after the return of “normal” in-person schooling for most students (Friedell). How did we get here?

Perhaps math abilities have been more impacted by the effects of the pandemic due to the lack of confidence many parents feel in assisting with math, and parents’ lack of resources to help their children in this area (Kuhnfeld, et al). Many adults are intimidated by math as well as their children!