Florida ranks last in reading, warns nationwide education report
Florida ranked last among 35 states in reading score declines between 2022 and 2025, with students falling more than half a grade level behind, according to the annual Education Scorecard. The report highlights concerns over pandemic recovery, while Florida officials dispute the findings, citing NAEP data where the state ranked in the top 10 for fourth-grade reading in 2024 and questioned test validity." "article": "Florida students experienced the steepest decline in reading proficiency among 35 states studied from 2022 to 2025, according to the Education Scorecard released Wednesday. The average Florida student now lags more than half a grade level behind 2022 levels, marking the worst trend in the nation. The report, based on tests for 35 million students in grades 3–8, excluded some states due to test changes or low participation. Researchers Tom Kane of Harvard and Sean Reardon of Stanford noted that achievement fell during the pandemic and continued dropping in most states. Florida’s decline was larger than average, despite the state’s officials disputing the findings. Cassie Edwards, director of communications at the Florida Department of Education, cited the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), where Florida ranked 10th in fourth-grade reading in 2024 and 43rd in eighth-grade reading—a drop from 5th and 25th in 2017. She also argued NAEP doesn’t include private or homeschooled students, which could skew results. Experts countered that NAEP and state test trends are closely aligned, confirming Florida’s reading declines. School board member Jessica Jecusco-Wright suggested systemic issues like over-reliance on technology, insufficient teacher training in reading instruction, and increased screen time as potential causes. She dismissed claims that book restrictions contributed to the decline, noting literacy struggles predated such policies. The Education Scorecard has been published annually since 2022, tracking student performance across the U.S. Florida’s officials continue to defend their education policies, emphasizing NAEP’s limitations while acknowledging areas where the state outperforms national averages. The debate underscores broader concerns about post-pandemic academic recovery and the effectiveness of state-level education strategies.
Florida students experienced the steepest decline in reading proficiency among 35 states studied from 2022 to 2025, according to the Education Scorecard released Wednesday. The average Florida student now lags more than half a grade level behind 2022 levels, marking the worst trend in the nation. The report, based on tests for 35 million students in grades 3–8, excluded some states due to test changes or low participation. Researchers Tom Kane of Harvard and Sean Reardon of Stanford noted that achievement fell during the pandemic and continued dropping in most states. Florida’s decline was larger than average, despite the state’s officials disputing the findings. Cassie Edwards, director of communications at the Florida Department of Education, cited the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), where Florida ranked 10th in fourth-grade reading in 2024 and 43rd in eighth-grade reading—a drop from 5th and 25th in 2017. She also argued NAEP doesn’t include private or homeschooled students, which could skew results. Experts countered that NAEP and state test trends are closely aligned, confirming Florida’s reading declines. School board member Jessica Jecusco-Wright suggested systemic issues like over-reliance on technology, insufficient teacher training in reading instruction, and increased screen time as potential causes. She dismissed claims that book restrictions contributed to the decline, noting literacy struggles predated such policies. The Education Scorecard has been published annually since 2022, tracking student performance across the U.S. Florida’s officials continue to defend their education policies, emphasizing NAEP’s limitations while acknowledging areas where the state outperforms national averages. The debate underscores broader concerns about post-pandemic academic recovery and the effectiveness of state-level education strategies.
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