Detroit, Michigan, USA: High school seniors in the United States have recorded their weakest reading results in more than three decades, according to newly released federal data.
The 2024 testing outcomes come from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) — a congressionally mandated program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and overseen by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
The report, released on September 9, shows that over 30% of twelfth-graders lack basic reading proficiency, marking the lowest performance in 30 years. The Trump administration has pointed to these results as further reason to reduce the federal government’s involvement in education and hand more authority back to the states.
Beyond reading, the findings raise concerns about the nation’s ability to stay competitive globally, particularly as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies continue to reshape the job market.
The data also revealed that 45% of high school seniors fall short in basic math skills—a five-point increase from two decades ago. Additionally, 38% of eighth-graders do not meet basic science standards, up five points compared with 2019, though similar to results from 2009.
“These findings are alarming,” said Matthew Soldner, Acting Commissioner of NCES. “The overall decline mirrors steep drops among the lowest-performing students, a downward trend that started even before the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Regional breakdowns showed particularly steep declines in math and reading scores for twelfth-graders and science scores for eighth-graders in the South and Midwest between 2019 and 2024.
The report comes at a time of major political shifts in education policy. President Donald Trump has significantly reduced the influence of the federal Department of Education.
While federal law bars the department from dictating classroom operations such as curriculum or teacher staffing, states and local governments — which already fund more than 85% of public education — hold the power to make those decisions.
In a video message tied to the report’s release, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the findings reinforce the administration’s stance.
“Clearly, success isn’t about the size of the budget, but about who controls it,” McMahon said. “That’s why President Trump and I are determined to return education decisions to the states, so parents and local communities can better adapt learning to their students’ needs.”
