US Schools: Reading & Math Scores Plummet

Student academic performance in U.S. schools has significantly declined over the last decade, a trend that predates and continues past the pandemic. Reading scores have dropped in a vast majority of school districts, with math scores showing similar declines.

Experts have evaluated various strategies to reverse this trend, prioritizing those that boost academic achievement. Small group tutoring and a systematic approach to teaching reading known as the science of reading have emerged as the most effective methods. High-quality preschool and incentivizing effective teachers to work in high-poverty schools were also identified as highly impactful.

Conversely, some frequently proposed solutions, such as private school vouchers and reducing class sizes, were found to be costly with minimal academic benefits. Experts suggest that effective implementation and a focus on rigorous, research-backed curricula are crucial for any intervention to succeed.

While no single solution guarantees success, a combination of evidence-based strategies, executed with commitment and tailored to local needs, offers the most promising path forward. States like Mississippi and Louisiana have shown improvements by adopting multiple effective strategies.