The latest Nation’s Report Card confirms declining scores across grade levels, but here’s what the data doesn’t show: how quickly students can recover with the right personalized support. In my 30+ years in education, I’ve learned that data like this is simply a roadmap for where to focus our help.
The newest assessment, just released this week, highlights ongoing challenges that today’s middle and high schoolers are facing. If you’re worried about your child’s academic performance, you’re not alone. Every day, my team and I work with families who are seeing these struggles firsthand. The good news? With the right approach, students can and will overcome academic obstacles.
In this blog, I’ll break down the new testing data, share three contributing reasons behind the declines, and offer practical steps parents can take to help their children get back on track.
What We’re Learning from The Nation’s Report Card
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation’s Report Card, analyzes student test scores on core subjects. The prior reports for 8th-grade science and 12th-grade math and reading were done in 2019. The newest release shows troubling drops for 8th graders in science and for 12th graders in both math and reading:
- 31% performed at or above proficient (↓ 4 points since 2019)
- 38% performed below basic (↑ 5 points since 2019)
- 22% performed at or above proficient (↓ 2 points since 2019)
- 45% performed below basic (↑ 5 points since 2019)
- 35% performed at or above proficient (↓ 2 points since 2019 and ↓ 5 points since 1992)
- 32% performed below basic (↑ 2 points since 2019 and ↑ 12 points since 1992)
Absenteeism is also on the rise according to the report: nearly one-third (31%) of twelfth graders reported missing three or more days of school in a month period (↑ from 26% in 2019).
“These results are sobering,” wrote Matthew Soldner, the Acting Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, in a press release. “The drop in overall scores coincides with significant declines in achievement among our lowest-performing students, continuing a downward trend that began even before the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Three Contributing Reasons For the Nation’s Declining Scores
1. Students aren’t practicing as much outside the classroom.
Many schools have reduced or eliminated homework, especially in elementary and middle school. While the intention is to give kids more free time, in reality, many students spend those hours on screens, not reinforcing academics. I believe without consistent practice, skills don’t stick.
In my three decades working with students, I’ve seen how this lack of practice compounds over time. Skills that should be automatic, like basic math facts or reading comprehension strategies, remain shaky without regular reinforcement.
2. Pandemic disruptions left “Swiss Cheese” gaps in learning.
Even now, I consistently see students who have gaps in their foundational knowledge, particularly in math, math-based sciences, and foreign languages, where concepts build upon one another. I call these holes in learning “Swiss Cheese.” A student who never mastered fractions in middle school is likely to struggle significantly in high school algebra. These gaps, left unaddressed, only widen over time.
3. Weak executive function skills make it harder to stay on track.
Fewer at-home assignments and more flexible grading policies mean students aren’t practicing responsibility, organization, and planning on a daily basis. Rolling gradebooks and generous late policies may sound supportive, but for students who already struggle with time management, they encourage last-minute cramming and missed opportunities to build strong study habits.
How Parents Can Help Their Students Catch Up
1. Talk to your child’s teacher.
Start by having an honest conversation with your child’s teacher about what you’re seeing at home. Teachers often have insights into your child’s learning patterns that can be incredibly valuable.
Ask a specific question like:
“I’ve noticed my child struggles with [specific issue] at home. How can I best help him practice this outside the classroom?”
Saying “I’ve noticed…” helps you share your observations as a partner rather than coming across as accusatory. You’re simply bringing home insights to compare with what’s happening at school, which helps create a complete picture of your child’s needs.
2. Consider one-on-one subject support.
For students with “Swiss Cheese” learning gaps, individualized instruction can be transformative. Unlike a classroom setting where the pace is set for the group, one-on-one tutoring allows your child to work at their own speed and focus exactly where they need help most.
What makes this approach so effective? First, it’s completely tailored to your child’s unique needs, whether they’re missing foundational concepts from two years ago or struggling with current material. Your child can ask as many questions as they want without feeling embarrassed or worried about slowing down classmates. There’s no such thing as a “silly question” in a one-on-one session.
Some students need to go back to basics before moving forward, and that’s perfectly okay. The goal isn’t just to improve grades. We match them with the right specialist for their situation, rebuilding their confidence and helping them become independent learners.
3. Strengthen executive function skills.
Executive function skills, the mental skills that help us plan, focus, and manage multiple tasks, are often the hidden culprit behind academic struggles. These aren’t skills that students naturally develop; they need to be taught and practiced.
In our EF coaching program, we often see bright students who understand the material but can’t organize their thoughts for an essay, forget to write down assignments, or procrastinate until the last minute. They might have three different folders for the same class or spend hours on homework that should take 30 minutes.
Strong executive function skills include:
- Planning and prioritizing tasks
- Managing time effectively
- Organizing materials and thoughts
- Staying focused despite distractions
- Breaking large projects into manageable steps
- Self-monitoring progress and adjusting when needed
These skills aren’t just crucial for school success—they’re skills for life. Students who learn to manage their workload, meet deadlines, and stay organized carry these abilities into college, their careers, and beyond.
Ready to create a personalized plan for your child’s success?
The newest Nation’s Report Card underscores what parents and educators already know: our kids need more support than ever before. But here’s what I want every parent to remember: these challenges are not insurmountable.
If your child is struggling, whether it’s with specific subjects, organization, or confidence, we’re here to help create a plan that works. The earlier we start, the more progress you’ll see this school year.
Schedule your free call today with one of our Education Specialists, and let’s give your child the support they deserve.