Unlocking Reading Recovery: How Students Can Overcome Pandemic-Induced Slumps

When it comes to reading, students in grades three to eight are still lagging behind two years after the pandemic. Recent tests show little change, while math scores show some signs of improvement. These insights come from the NWEA’s Spring 2025 MAP Growth assessment.

NWEA, a notable K-12 testing organization, reports that the reading scores are particularly concerning. They reveal that students are performing at or below levels seen during the pandemic. Karyn Lewis, NWEA’s vice president of research, stresses the need for ongoing attention to this issue. “This chapter isn’t over, and ignoring the data won’t make the problem go away,” she says.

On the brighter side, math scores have rebounded slightly. Various grades have seen minor gains compared to previous years, although they still don’t match pre-pandemic levels from 2019. Tom Kane, an expert from Harvard, compares the data collection process to regular health check-ups for students. He insists that timely data is crucial, especially after the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

The situation is even more complex when considering diverse student backgrounds. NWEA notes that stagnation in reading skills is consistent across different races and income levels. Meanwhile, the slight rebound in math is shared across these same groups.

To tackle these challenges, NWEA has launched a new performance dashboard. This tool will provide updated insights three times a year, making it easier for schools and policymakers to understand student performance relative to national averages. Megan Kuhfeld, NWEA’s director of growth modeling, highlights the importance of this data for identifying local needs.

While NWEA’s findings echo troubling trends seen in the Nation’s Report Card, there’s hope that increased data collection can guide decisions on how best to support students moving forward.

For more detailed statistics, you can visit the NWEA’s performance dashboard. This tool aims to bridge the gap and offers timely insights for educators and stakeholders alike.

Source link