Nation's Report Card shows 12th grade reading at historic low

The National Assessment of Educational Progress released data in 2024 showing that the average reading score for 12th graders fell to its lowest level on record. The score dropped three points from the 2019 baseline and sat 10 points below the average recorded in 1992. The National Assessment Governing Board confirmed that this 2024 figure represents the lowest performance for 12th-grade reading since the assessment began.

The performance gaps extend well beyond reading into core mathematics. In the 2024 assessment, 45 percent of 12th graders scored below the NAEP Basic level in math. Only 22 percent of students reached or exceeded the NAEP Proficient benchmark. In reading, 32 percent of seniors scored below Basic, while 35 percent achieved Proficient status or higher. These metrics indicate a widening divide between students who master fundamental skills and those who do not.

The academic shortfall is visible well before students reach senior year. In 2024, 33 percent of eighth graders scored below NAEP Basic in reading. This is the largest percentage of below-basic performance recorded for that grade level. These students enter high school without the foundational skills required to analyze complex texts or construct evidence-based arguments, according to the National Assessment Governing Board.

College preparation metrics from the ACT align with the federal test results. Nearly 1.4 million members of the Class of 2025 took the ACT exam. Only 30 percent met at least three of the organization's four College Readiness Benchmarks. The math benchmark was met by just 29 percent of test-takers, while the reading benchmark was met by 39 percent.

The data suggests that the decline in proficiency is not solely a result of pandemic-era disruptions. The steady drop since 2019 points to structural issues in secondary education. Students who graduate without these core skills face immediate challenges in the workforce. Reading and math proficiency are essential for understanding employment contracts, completing financial agreements, and succeeding in vocational training.

The 2024 numbers stand as a record low for 12th-grade reading performance. With nearly half of high school seniors scoring below basic math proficiency, the gap between graduation and job readiness has widened. The data provides a concrete baseline for measuring future improvements in student achievement.