US News
US elementary reading scores narrow pre-pandemic learning gap, report says
The Hill reports that kindergarten through eighth-grade students reduced their pandemic reading deficits by one-third over the past year.
The short version
- US students in grades K through 8 reduced their pre-pandemic reading deficit by one-third in the past year, according to research group NWEA.[The Hill]
- The largest gains occurred among Black students, Hispanic students, and those attending schools in high-poverty areas.[The Hill]
- Experts credit new state-level policies focusing on phonics and structured reading science for helping drive the improvement.[The Hill]
- A two-thirds gap remains relative to pre-pandemic benchmarks, and experts warn that prior reading score gains have experienced subsequent fluctuations.[The Hill]
Key facts
- Data from research group NWEA indicates that US students in grades K through 8 closed their pre-pandemic reading deficit by one-third in the past year.[The Hill]
- Black students, Hispanic students, and students in high-poverty areas recorded the largest gains over the past year.[The Hill]
- Roughly half of US states have passed laws or rules since the pandemic requiring reading instruction to align with phonics and letter-sound relationships.[The Hill]
- A two-thirds gap persists between current student reading levels and pre-pandemic levels.[The Hill]
What remains uncertain
- Experts warn that earlier reading score gains have been followed by periods of instability or decline.[The Hill]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.