As the school year comes to a close, a new analysis shines a harsh spotlight on what's being called a "learning recession" among American students. It's a problem that started long before the pandemic, according to the latest National Education Scorecard — an annual deep dive into data about kids in grades K-12.
The findings of this report are sobering. Children had a steady decline in math and reading scores beginning all the way back to 2013, which happens to be when smartphones and social media really took off.
Compared to a decade ago, math scores today are down in 70% of school districts. Reading scores are down in 83%.
Scores have climbed a bit since 2022, but nowhere close to making up all the lost ground. In fact, 8th grade reading scores are now at their lowest level since 1990.
@wmbrangham recently spoke with Thomas Kane, one of the authors of the scorecard and a professor at Harvard University.
Powerful gathering of close to 250 students at Hope College today in a prayer vigil for our nation and healing of hearts, minds, and souls. This was STUDENT LED! @awakeningathope