Long-term trends in reading and mathematics achievement
Question:
What are the long-term trends in student achievement in reading and mathematics?
Response:
Since the 1970s, the long-term trend National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has reported periodic information on the reading and mathematics achievement of 9-, 13-, and 17-year-olds enrolled in public and private schools. Nearly five decades of results offer an extended view of student achievement in reading and mathematics. Results reported in this Fast Fact focus on 2020 assessment data, which include the performance of nationally representative samples of 9-year-old and 13-year-old students.
The 2020 average scores in reading and mathematics for 13-year-olds were higher than the earliest assessments but declined since 2012. Scores for the lowest-performing students (at the 10th percentile) decreased from 2012 at both ages and subjects.
The average reading score for 9-year-old students was 12 points higher in 2020 than in 1971, but not significantly different from the average score in 2012. Thirteen-year-olds scored higher in 2020 with a 5-point gain from 1971, but lower in comparison to 2012.
The overall national trend in mathematics shows improvement for 9-year-old and 13-year-old students in comparison to 1973. The average mathematics score for 9-year-old students was 22 points higher in 2020 than in 1973, and the score for 13-year-olds was 14 points higher. The 2020 average mathematics score at age 13 was lower in comparison to 2012, but there was no significant change in the 2020 average score for 9-year-olds since 2012.
Changes in NAEP long-term trend reading and mathematics average scores by age group
NOTE: Results for 1971 and 1973 are from the original assessment format, and results for 2012 and 2020 are from the revised assessment format. The 1973 mathematics data were extrapolated. See the About page for more information.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2021). 2020 Long-Term Trend Reading and Mathematics Assessment Results at Age 9 and Age 13.
Related Tables and Figures: (Listed by Release Date)
- 2022, Digest of Education Statistics 2021, Table 221.85. Average National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading scale score, by age and selected student characteristics: Selected years, 1971 through 2020
- 2022, Digest of Education Statistics 2021, Table 222.85. Average National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics scale score, by age and selected student characteristics: Selected years, 1973 through 2020
- 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2020, Table 221.10. Average National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading scale score, by sex, race/ethnicity, and grade: Selected years, 1992 through 2019
- 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2020, Table 221.12. Average National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading scale score and percentage of students attaining NAEP reading achievement levels, by selected school and student characteristics and grade: Selected years, 1992 through 2019
- 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2020, Table 221.20. Percentage of students at or above selected National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading achievement levels, by grade and selected student characteristics: Selected years, 2005 through 2019
- 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2020, Table 222.10. Average National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics scale score, by sex, race/ethnicity, and grade: Selected years, 1990 through 2019
- 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2020, Table 222.12. Average National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics scale score and percentage of students attaining NAEP mathematics achievement levels, by selected school and student characteristics and grade: Selected years, 1990 through 2019
- 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2020, Table 222.20. Percentage of students at or above selected National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics achievement levels, by grade and selected student characteristics: Selected years, 2005 through 2019
- 2015, The Condition of Education 2015: Reading and Mathematics Score Trends
Other Resources: (Listed by Release Date)
- 2022, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): This site provides access to publications and data on the reading, mathematics, science, writing, history, civics, geography, and arts achievement of U.S. students.
- 2019, 2019 NAEP Mathematics and Reading Assessments: Highlighted Results at Grades 4 and 8 for the Nation, States, and Districts
- 2016, The Nation’s Report Card: 2015 Mathematics and Reading at Grade 12