U.S. Education Secretary Reports Declining Test Scores Among Middle and High School Students

The U.S. Secretary of Education announced that student test scores have declined nationwide, with results showing notable drops across middle and high school levels. Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress revealed that 12th graders recorded their lowest scores in more than two decades, while eighth-grade students showed significant declines in science proficiency.

In Clark County, school officials noted that the national report reflects 2024 data compared with results from 2019, prior to the pandemic. They emphasized that districts across the country saw steep setbacks during and immediately after pandemic-related disruptions, but said local progress is being made on state assessments. Superintendent Jhone Ebert has highlighted the district’s “Core Four” priorities, which focus on early literacy and middle school mathematics, as central to recovery efforts.

Education experts point to factors such as increased screen time, reduced reading of longer texts, and shorter attention spans as possible contributors to the downward trend. The Secretary of Education stressed the urgency of improvement, stating that if the U.S. is to remain globally competitive, students must develop proficiency in reading by third grade and graduate prepared to solve complex problems.

Source: KVVU FOX5 Las Vegas