LEXINGTON, Ky. — Concerning trends in student performance, as national test scores have reached decade low
Math and reading scores among 13-year-olds plummeted, with math scores falling by the largest margin ever recorded according to a report card released Wednesday by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
The report shows the effects of pandemic-era learning have had on students nationwide.
In Lexington, Shayla Lynch, executive director of The Carnegie Center for Literacy says their tutors are there to bridge the gap between students and their school.
“We know that with the pandemic, there was a learning gap and the Carnegie Center, we try to fill that gap,” Lynch said.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress measures math and reading comprehension in 13-year-old students. In a national sample, math scores decreased by nine points and reading scores by four points.
Lynch said since schools reopened, there has been an increased demand for tutoring.
“I think parents are definitely concerned about their students and how well they’re doing, especially in reading and math which are two services we provide,” Lynch said.
The Carnegie Center for Literacy works with K-12 students, regardless of their ability to pay.
“We want to make tutoring accessible to everyone in our community,” Lynch said.
The average reading test score was 256, it’s lowest since 2004. The average math score was 271, it’s lowest mark since 1990. An original assessment was used by NAEP from 1971 until 2004, when NAEP revised the assessment, reflecting two scores for that year.
Tim Scifres, a high school math teacher, also owns the Lexington Mathnasium. He says one factor in lower scores is a busier America.
“It’s hard to find the time and that’s why I think students at Mathnasium succeed and do well is because they’re finding the time to spend and just working on something they’re struggling with,” Scifres said.
Mathnasium tutors all levels of math, with roughly one teacher for every three students.
“Overall, our instructors are really well rounded and they’re willing to work with anybody because they love hearing the words, oh I get it,” Scifres said.
Scifres said while concerning, test scores aren’t the only measure of student success.
“Some kids are just slow test takers and some kids struggle on tests, so I think some of the scores are overemphasized,” Scifres said.
Lynch says tutoring can build personal and academic success all in one.
“It’s not surprising to see a tutor start with a student in kindergarten and see them all the way through to their high school graduation, it’s the building of that relationship that helps that child,” Lynch said.
The scores also show the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on minorities. Black and Latino students scoring was nearly twice as low as their white peers.
The assessment also showed an increase in student absenteeism. For more on the breakdowns, you can read the full report card.