Study: Reading, Math Test Results Greatly Fell During Pandemic
2022-09-02
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1A new study found that math and reading test results for America's nine-year-olds greatly fell during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is part of the U.S. Education Department.
3It found that reading test results saw their largest decrease in 30 years.
4It also found that math test results had their first decrease in the history of the kind of testing under study.
5The study found that in math, the average test result for nine-year-old students fell seven percentage points between 2020 and 2022.
6The average reading test result fell five points.
7The decreases hit all areas of the country and affected students of most races.
8But students of color saw some of the greatest decreases, widening the differences in test results between races.
9Much of the nation's standardized testing did not happen during the early days of the pandemic.
10So, the findings released Thursday gave an early look at the effects the pandemic had on learning.
11More data is expected to be released later this year as part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation's Report Card.
12Daniel McGrath of NCES said these are some of the largest decreases they have observed in a single testing period in 50 years.
13McGrath added, "Students in 2022 are performing at a level last seen two decades ago."
14The study shows the difficulties in education as U.S. schools shut down for months at a time during the pandemic.
15Many students spent a year or more learning from home.
16And virus outbreaks among school workers and students continued to interfere with learning as students returned to the classroom.
17The pandemic's difficulties especially hurt students of color.
18Math test results dropped by five percentage points for white students, compared with 13 points for Black students and eight points for Hispanic students.
19The divide between Black and white students widened by eight percentage points during the pandemic.
20Decreases were more equally spread in reading: test results dropped six points for white, Black, and Hispanic students.
21For Asian American students, Native American students, and students of two or more races, the study found there was little change in reading or math between 2020 and 2022.
22Across the U.S., all areas saw decreases in math.
23But decreases were a little worse in the Northeast and Midwest compared with the West and South.
24Outcomes were similar for reading, except that the West had no measurable difference compared with 2020.
25Although the results mark a sharp drop since the pandemic, the study found that the average reading and math scores are still higher than the ones from the 1970s.
26I'm Gregory Stachel.
1A new study found that math and reading test results for America's nine-year-olds greatly fell during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is part of the U.S. Education Department. It found that reading test results saw their largest decrease in 30 years. It also found that math test results had their first decrease in the history of the kind of testing under study. 3The study found that in math, the average test result for nine-year-old students fell seven percentage points between 2020 and 2022. The average reading test result fell five points. 4The decreases hit all areas of the country and affected students of most races. But students of color saw some of the greatest decreases, widening the differences in test results between races. 5Much of the nation's standardized testing did not happen during the early days of the pandemic. So, the findings released Thursday gave an early look at the effects the pandemic had on learning. More data is expected to be released later this year as part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation's Report Card. 6Daniel McGrath of NCES said these are some of the largest decreases they have observed in a single testing period in 50 years. McGrath added, "Students in 2022 are performing at a level last seen two decades ago." 7The study shows the difficulties in education as U.S. schools shut down for months at a time during the pandemic. Many students spent a year or more learning from home. And virus outbreaks among school workers and students continued to interfere with learning as students returned to the classroom. 8More difficulties for students of color 9The pandemic's difficulties especially hurt students of color. Math test results dropped by five percentage points for white students, compared with 13 points for Black students and eight points for Hispanic students. The divide between Black and white students widened by eight percentage points during the pandemic. 10Decreases were more equally spread in reading: test results dropped six points for white, Black, and Hispanic students. 11For Asian American students, Native American students, and students of two or more races, the study found there was little change in reading or math between 2020 and 2022. 12Across the U.S., all areas saw decreases in math. But decreases were a little worse in the Northeast and Midwest compared with the West and South. Outcomes were similar for reading, except that the West had no measurable difference compared with 2020. 13Although the results mark a sharp drop since the pandemic, the study found that the average reading and math scores are still higher than the ones from the 1970s. 14I'm Gregory Stachel. 15Collin Binkley reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. 16________________________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18standardize - v. to change (things) so that they are similar and consistent and agree with rules about what is proper and acceptable 19decade - n. a period of 10 years 20score - n. the number of points that someone gets for correct answers on a test or exam 21_______________________________________________________________________ 22What do you think of education during the pandemic? 23We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 24Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.