US Math and Reading Scores Hit 25-Year Low

National math and reading scores for US students have reached their lowest point in the past quarter-century, a concerning trend that coincides with a significant reduction in the capacity of a key federal agency to collect and analyze educational data. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), responsible for gathering critical information to guide education policy and interventions, was severely impacted by actions taken during the Trump administration. In the previous year, the Department of Education experienced substantial workforce reductions, with nearly half of its employees reportedly being let go. Concurrently, the agency referred to as the "department of government efficiency" (Doge) canceled approximately $900 million in contracts. The NCES was among the hardest-hit divisions within the Department of Education, diminishing its ability to provide comprehensive insights into student performance and educational challenges. This reduction in data collection and analysis capabilities leaves the United States with fewer tools to understand the root causes of declining scores and to develop effective interventions. The OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results for 2025, which highlight these declining trends, underscore the importance of robust data for informed policymaking. The PISA 2025 results, specifically the country notes for the United States, detail the performance of 15-year-old students in mathematics, science, and reading. The decline in scores suggests a systemic issue affecting student learning across the nation. Without the detailed data that the NCES typically provides, policymakers and educators face greater challenges in identifying specific areas of weakness, understanding demographic disparities in performance, and evaluating the efficacy of different educational strategies. The agency's role is crucial in providing longitudinal data that tracks trends over time, allowing for the assessment of long-term educational policies and reforms. The cancellation of contracts and reduction in personnel at the NCES directly impedes its mission to provide timely and accurate statistics essential for improving the nation's education system. This situation creates a critical gap in understanding and addressing the complex factors contributing to the widespread decline in student achievement in both mathematics and reading.