Student test scores in reading and math have been dropping since around 2013, well
before the COVID pandemic. Researchers point to two likely causes: schools facing less
pressure to improve after federal accountability laws were loosened, and the rise of social
media pulling students away from learning. The good news is that math scores are starting to
recover in most states, and schools that have adopted research-backed reading methods, like
teaching phonics, are seeing real improvement in reading too. Federal relief money also made a
difference for schools in lower-income communities. Baltimore City schools are a standout
example, with reading scores climbing sharply after the district committed early to
evidence-based reading instruction. The bigger picture is that American schools made
tremendous gains for two decades before the slide began, and researchers say we can get
back on that track.

Most schools and states have adopted reading programs based on phonics and
research, but a new report finds that many teachers still aren’t fully using these methods in the
classroom. About one in three teachers still rely on older approaches that research has shown
are less effective. One of the most concerning findings is that teachers who learned about
reading instruction in college actually know less about it than those who picked it up on the job,
suggesting that teacher training programs need serious improvement. States like Mississippi
show that real change is possible, but it takes years of consistent effort, strong teacher training,
and good curriculum. Passing laws and policies is a start, but what happens in the classroom
every day is what truly matters for kids learning to read.

While reading scores are falling in many schools across the country, some California
districts are moving in a positive direction. Compton Unified and Modesto City Schools have
seen steady improvements in both reading and math by catching struggling students early and
getting them help quickly. Both districts hold regular meetings to review how students are doing
and figure out who needs extra support. Teachers also receive ongoing training and work
together to share what’s working in the classroom. Researchers from Harvard, Stanford, and
Dartmouth highlighted these districts as standout success stories in a study comparing more
than 5,000 school districts. When schools stay consistent and pay close attention to how their
students are doing, kids make real progress, even in communities facing big challenges.

American students’ math and reading scores have dropped over the last ten years, according to
a new report from Stanford University. Researchers tracked test results for students in grades 3
through 8 across hundreds of school districts, comparing how each district performed in 2015
versus today.
The results are mixed. Some districts have bounced back and improved, while others continue
to fall behind. Los Angeles, for example, made meaningful gains but still scores below the
national average. You can look up your own school district using the New York Times’ interactive
tool to see exactly how local scores have changed.