National Test Scores for 12th Graders Hit Record Low, Raising Concerns

Compiled by the editorial desk with reference to official statements, public data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and reporting from the Wall Street Journal.

The latest national assessment of high school seniors shows the lowest math and reading scores in decades, with only 35% proficient in reading and 22% in math. The results, released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), mark a two-percentage-point drop in proficiency since 2019.

The decline has sparked debate over causes, with experts pointing to pandemic disruptions, rising technology use, and changing student demographics. At the same time, the Trump administration has used the data to argue for dismantling the Department of Education, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from former officials.

What the Scores Show

NAEP, which tests tens of thousands of students annually, found that only one in five seniors could draw a conclusion from a persuasive essay. Just 60% could deduce a population from given size and density data.

Lesley Muldoon, executive director of the board overseeing NAEP, told the Wall Street Journal that students are “taking their next steps in life with fewer skills and less knowledge in core academics than their predecessors a decade ago.” She added that this comes at a time when “rapid advancements in technology and society demand more of future workers and citizens, not less.”

Martin West, academic dean at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, cautioned that there is no “smoking gun” to explain the decline. He suggested that explanations may “transcend national boundaries,” noting that similar trends appear in other countries.

Possible Factors

Experts are considering several factors, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Some worry that reliance on such technologies could hinder critical thinking skills.

Additionally, rising high school graduation rates may mean that more lower-performing students are taking the test, potentially skewing results downward. West and others note that this could obscure the true picture.

Educators themselves are increasingly using AI to grade assignments, raising concerns about a feedback loop that may reduce students’ opportunities to develop analytical skills.

Political Reactions

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the low scores strengthen the case for closing the Department of Education. “President Trump and I are committed to returning control of education to the states so they can innovate,” she said in a statement.

Margaret Spellings, who served as education secretary under George W. Bush, disagreed. “This is not the right moment to talk about closing the Department of Education,” she said. “When your house is on fire you don’t talk about making renovations.”

The NAEP results come as the Trump administration is actively attempting to dismantle the department, a move that would require congressional approval. The debate highlights the broader challenges facing U.S. education, from pandemic recovery to the integration of new technologies.