Putting Pandemic Learning Loss in Perspective

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released new results on June 10, indicating that 9-year-old students' scores in reading and math have risen from 2022 levels. Specifically, reading scores for this age group have returned to their 2020 pre-pandemic levels. However, this positive trend is contrasted by the performance of 13-year-old students, whose scores in 2025 remained flat compared to 2023 and are still significantly below pre-pandemic benchmarks. This data suggests that while some recent gains are evident, the broader educational landscape for older students remains challenging. The analysis highlights that the decline in U.S. student outcomes began in 2013, predating the COVID-19 pandemic, which complicates the assessment of the pandemic's specific impact and the effectiveness of remedial policies. Over the last 50 years, average student performance has stagnated, and significant socioeconomic disparities have persisted despite increased school funding, educational reforms, accountability measures, and the implementation of nationwide standards. This historical context suggests that current policy discussions should extend beyond short-term remediation to address the long-standing issues affecting student achievement.