A comprehensive national assessment released today shows that K-12 math proficiency scores have finally returned to pre-pandemic levels in most grade levels, marking a significant milestone in education recovery efforts.
Fourth-grade math scores improved by an average of 8 points on the NAEP scale compared to 2024, while eighth-grade scores rose by 6 points. However, disparities persist, with rural and low-income districts still trailing urban and suburban counterparts.
Education Secretary Maria Torres credited the recovery to targeted tutoring programs and the $190 billion in federal relief funds distributed to schools since 2021, though she noted that reading scores continue to lag behind math improvements.
