Challenges in Understanding Student Performance

Nearly 90% of parents in the United States believe their child is performing at or above grade level in reading and math. Many of these parents are mistaken.

Only 30% of eighth graders are proficient in reading, and just 28% in math, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (N.A.E.P.). This discrepancy between grades and test scores is more evident in schools with higher numbers of low-income students, revealed by a 2023 study.

Over the past 15 years, this issue has worsened as grade inflation increased. From 2010 to 2022, average high school GPAs rose, especially in math, climbing to 3.32 from 3.02.

Standardized testing serves as an independent check on schools but is currently facing challenges. Federal law mandates annual standardized tests in math and reading for grades three through eight. Yet, some states have recently lowered the proficiency score, showing improvements on paper without real classroom changes.

Wisconsin’s assessment redesign boosted English proficiency to 48% from 39%. Illinois and Kansas have adopted similar changes. In many states, state reading test proficiency rates surpass national tests by 15 percentage points or more, and some display even larger gaps.

The issue is exacerbated by federal actions. In 2025, the Trump administration significantly reduced the Education Department responsible for national assessments. Although reports suggest rebuilding efforts, some assessments have already been diminished.