Test scores decline raises concerns about U.S. education system

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has reported a significant decline in reading and math scores among American students in fourth and eighth grades. The recent findings indicate that these scores have reached their lowest levels in decades, raising concerns about the state of education in the United States.

In Florida, fourth-grade reading scores have fallen to their lowest since 2003, while math scores are still recovering from declines experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nationally, student performance remains below pre-pandemic levels.

Mary Beth Calhoon, an associate professor of special education at the University of Miami's School of Education and Human Development, highlighted several factors contributing to these results. "The scores are like the canary in the coal mine for our educational system," she said. Calhoon pointed out that disruptions caused by remote learning during the pandemic significantly impacted students' education.

Calhoon also emphasized the importance of phonics instruction beyond third grade, noting that many middle school students struggle with reading at grade level. "Understanding the sounds letters make and how letters influence each other to make sounds is fundamental to all aspects of reading," she explained.

Walter Secada, a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the same university, noted that while national recovery to pre-COVID-19 achievement levels has not been achieved, there is hope for improvement in Florida's math scores. "The scores dipped from 2019 to 2022, but we have improved since then," he said.

Secada expressed concern over data showing that higher-achieving students fared better than their lower-performing peers, often from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He suggested that differences in teacher quality and parental involvement might contribute to this disparity.

Both educators agree on the need for schools to prioritize fundamental skills in reading and mathematics. They also called for broader consideration of how natural disasters could impact educational systems across the country.

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