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 collected periodic information on the reading and mathematics achievement of 9-, 13-, and 17-year-olds enrolled in public and private schools.

The national trend in reading achievement shows improvement at ages 9 and 13, but not at age 17, between the early 1970s and 2012. The average scores for 9- and 13-year-olds in 2012 were higher than those in 1971 (13 and 8 points higher, respectively), but the average score for 17-year-olds in 2012 (287) was not measurably different from the score in 1971. For 9-year-olds, the average score did not change measurably between 2012 (221) and 2008, but it was higher in each of these years than in all previous assessment years. Thirteen-year-olds scored higher in 2012 (263) than in all previous assessment years, including 3 points higher than in 2008. The average score for 17-year-olds in 2012 was not measurably different from the score in 2008.

The national trend in mathematics achievement shows improvement at ages 9 and 13, but not at age 17, between the early 1970s and 2012. The average scores for 9- and 13-year-olds in 2012 were higher than those in 1973 (25 and 19 points higher, respectively), but the average score for 17-year-olds in 2012 (306) was not measurably different from the score in 1973. For 9-year-olds, the average score did not change measurably between 2012 (244) and 2008, but it was higher in each of these two years than in all previous assessment years. Thirteen-year-olds scored higher in 2012 (285) than in all previous assessment years, including 4 points higher than in 2008. The average score for 17-year-olds in 2012 was not measurably different from the score in 2008.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2016). The Condition of Education 2016 (NCES 2016-144), Reading and Mathematics Score Trends.

Related Tables and Figures:  (Listed by Release Date)

• 2020, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, Table 221.10. Average National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading scale score, by sex, race/ethnicity, and grade: Selected years, 1992 through 2019
  
• 2020, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, 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
  
• 2020, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, 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
  
• 2020, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, Table 222.10. Average National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics scale score, by sex, race/ethnicity, and grade: Selected years, 1990 through 2019
  
• 2020, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, 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
  
• 2020, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, 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
  
• 2019, Digest of Education Statistics 2018, Table 221.85. Average National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading scale score, by age and selected student characteristics: Selected years, 1971 through 2012
  
• 2019, Digest of Education Statistics 2018, Table 222.85. Average National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics scale score, by age and selected student characteristics: Selected years, 1973 through 2012
  

Other Resources:  (Listed by Release Date)

• 2020, 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