Overview
- The Education Scorecard released Wednesday by researchers at Harvard, Stanford and Dartmouth finds U.S. students about half a grade behind 2019 in reading after analyzing grades 3–8 test data from more than 5,000 districts in 38 states.
- Math has climbed in most states since 2022, while only a small group improved in reading, with states like Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Maryland tying gains to phonics-based 'science of reading' policies.
- Recovery has followed a U-shape, as the highest- and lowest-income districts improved fastest and researchers credit federal pandemic relief for lifting high-poverty systems more than middle-poverty peers.
- Districts on the rise include Los Angeles Unified, Compton and Modesto in California and Detroit, where leaders cite structured phonics, teacher training such as LETRS, frequent data checks and quick help for struggling readers.
- Chronic absenteeism eased but stayed high at about 23% in 2024–25 versus 15% before the pandemic, which researchers say is slowing learning gains and could shape which districts need targeted support next.