The recent release of the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress exam score reveals the largest decline since the assessment was launched in 1990. While it was anticipated that student scores would slide after months of school closures and slapdash efforts at remote learning, the depth of the education crisis is greater than many want to acknowledge.

Math scores decreased on average by 5 points for fourth-grade students and 8 points for eighth-grade students. Sixty-four percent of fourth-grade students and 73% of eighth-grade students failed to score proficient in math. Reading scores dropped an average of 3 points for fourth-grade students and 3 points for eighth-grade students. Sixty-six percent of fourth-grade students and 69% of eighth-grade students were below proficient in reading — a basic skill fundamental for all other academic learning.