NEW YORK, NY – The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data confirms we are in the midst of a deepening reading and math crisis. The data reveals twelfth grade scores have plummeted to levels not seen since 1992 in Reading and 2005 in Math. This is clear evidence that our education system is failing to meet the needs of our students today.

At EdTrust-New York we are demanding action. These numbers don’t just reflect academic decline, they expose decades of systemic inequity for Black, Latinx, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander students, and those from low-income backgrounds.

While the federal government retreats from its responsibility to underserved schools, New York State leaders must continue to invest in the science of reading and evidence-based math instruction across all grade levels. We urge immediate action, especially in secondary education, where adolescent literacy is too often overlooked. Our recent report on the state of adolescent literacy shows that middle and high school students are being left behind because schools lack the professional learning, tools grounded in the science of reading and the assessments to support struggling readers.

The disparities in NAEP scores are unacceptable and preventable. This crisis demands urgency. New York State must respond with bold, systemic change: investing in high-quality teaching, equitable resources, and targeted support that ensure every student, regardless of race or background, graduates with the essential reading and math skills they need to succeed.

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About EdTrust-New York:     

EdTrust-New York is dedicated to eliminating equity and opportunity gaps that hinder students from reaching their full potential. We focus on ensuring that students of color, including Black, Latinx, Native American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander students, and those from low-income backgrounds achieve high levels of success from early childhood through college. For more information, visit EdTrustNY.org.