Student Math Scores Show Broad Improvement, Reading Recovery Mixed
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A new national report shows math achievement for fourth and eighth graders improved in most states from 2022 to 2025, with Washington D.C. making the largest gains. Reading scores improved in nine states and D.C., but declined in three others. Louisiana is the only state to have returned to its 2019 performance levels in both subjects.
Facts First
- Math scores improved in most states from 2022 to 2025, with Washington D.C. showing the largest gains.
- Five states failed to make math gains: Georgia, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa.
- Reading scores improved in nine states and D.C., but declined in Florida, Arizona, and Nebraska.
- Louisiana is the only state that has returned to 2019 performance levels in both math and reading.
- All states and D.C. that saw reading gains had implemented comprehensive 'science of reading' reforms.
What Happened
The fourth annual Education Scorecard was released on Wednesday. It shows that most states showed improvement in math scores for fourth and eighth graders, with Washington D.C. showing the most significant gains. Five states—Georgia, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa—failed to make math gains. Reading scores improved in D.C., Louisiana, Maryland, and five other states, but continued to decline in Florida, Arizona, and Nebraska. Louisiana is the only state that has returned to its 2019 performance levels in both math and reading. The report identified a 'U-shaped recovery' where schools with the lowest and highest poverty levels saw similar math gains, while middle-income districts improved the least.
Why this Matters to You
If your child attends public school, their district's recent performance in math and reading is now clearer, which may help you understand the effectiveness of local education policies. The widespread adoption of phonics-based 'science of reading' laws appears to be correlated with reading gains, suggesting that instructional changes in your state could influence future student outcomes. The report also indicates that recovery from pandemic-era learning loss is uneven, meaning students in some states may be closer to pre-pandemic performance levels than others.
What's Next
The trend of improvement in math scores may continue as states continue to implement new instructional strategies. Reading scores could see further gains as more states enact and refine their 'science of reading' laws, which emphasize phonics. The ongoing annual release of the Scorecard will provide a clearer picture of whether states can eventually return to the higher performance levels seen in 2013.