'Learning recession': NC students performance in reading, math worst than peers a decade ago
A new Education Scorecard report reveals North Carolina students are performing worse in reading and math than peers a decade ago, with a 'learning recession' affecting grades 3-8 nationwide. Researchers warn of long-term consequences for future earnings and educational attainment, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions like increased federal funding and reduced absenteeism.
A recent report from the Education Scorecard found U.S. students, particularly in North Carolina, are significantly behind in reading and math compared to 2009 levels. The study estimates North Carolina students have missed 27 weeks of learning in reading and 15 weeks in math, describing the trend as a 'learning recession.' While math scores improved slightly since 2022, reading performance remains worse than pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The analysis, covering grades 3-8 from 2009 to 2025, ranks North Carolina 9th in math improvement among 38 states but 22nd in reading out of 35 states. Harvard’s Thomas Kane, a North Carolina native and faculty director at the Center for Education Policy Research, linked the decline to pre-pandemic factors and warned test scores predict future opportunities, including earnings and educational attainment. Researchers recommend directing federal resources to struggling districts, reducing student absenteeism, and studying social media’s impact on test scores. They also suggest pairing high-performing districts with struggling ones to share strategies. Early childhood learning and adult accountability were highlighted as critical for reversing the trend. Elizabeth Black, a Durham mother, shared her efforts to prepare her 4-year-old daughter for kindergarten through library visits and hands-on activities. Despite the challenges, researchers stress consistent focus on reading and math—both in schools and at home—can help students recover lost ground.
This content was automatically generated and/or translated by AI. It may contain inaccuracies. Please refer to the original sources for verification.