Younger Students' Reading and Math Scores Improve Nationally, While Older Students' Scores Remain Flat

New data from the 2025 National Assessment of Educational Progress indicates a modest recovery in reading and math scores for 9-year-olds, with notable gains among the lowest-performing students in this age group. However, scores for 13-year-olds in both subjects have shown no significant change since 2023. This trend highlights persistent learning gaps and suggests a need for increased focus on middle school education strategies.