U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon responded to the release of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores for 8th grade science and 12th grade reading and mathematics. The NAEP, also known as The Nation’s Report Card, provides a snapshot of student achievement across the country.
In her statement, McMahon highlighted concerns over student performance. “Today’s NAEP results confirm a devastating trend: American students are testing at historic lows across all of K-12. At a critical juncture when students are about to graduate and enter the workforce, military, or higher education, nearly half of America’s high school seniors are testing at below basic levels in math and reading. Despite spending billions annually on numerous K-12 programs, the achievement gap is widening, and more high school seniors are performing below the basic benchmark in math and reading than ever before,” she said.
McMahon pointed to governance and resource allocation as factors in addressing these issues. “The lesson is clear. Success isn’t about how much money we spend, but who controls the money and where that money is invested. That’s why President Trump and I are committed to returning control of education to the states so they can innovate and meet each school and students’ unique needs.”
She concluded by emphasizing the importance of academic skills for national competitiveness: “If America is going to remain globally competitive, students must be able to read proficiently, think critically, and graduate equipped to solve complex problems. We owe it to them to do better.”
A video of Secretary McMahon discussing the scores is available for download from the U.S. Department of Education website. The September 2024 NAEP results can also be viewed online.
