FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2025

NAEP student assessment scores released show results slip nationally

Juneau, AK – National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) scores released today show a continued downward trend.

In two of the four categories tested (Grade 4 Math, Grade 4 Reading), Alaskan students experienced no statistically significant change, Grade 8 Reading and Mathematics saw declines.

Of the 53 jurisdictions (50 states plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and Department of Defense Schools) tested, Alaskan students ranked the following:

            Grade 4 Math: 51

            Grade 4 Reading: 51

            Grade 8 Reading: 51

            Grade 8 Math: 47

NAEP assessments are seen as a national report card and a window into what students are learning. NAEP tests a representative sample of students in each jurisdiction every two years to achievement is based on a national proficiency standard.

The typical fourth grader in 2023-2024 school year was in kindergarten when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schools in spring of 2020. The implementation of the Alaska Reads Act was less than one year in when NAEP testing occurred.

“The national decline in NAEP scores demonstrates that Alaska students are still struggling because of lost instructional time and lax remote-learning standards during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress allocated Alaska $620 million in COVID relief for education, yet student achievement still declined. More money doesn’t guarantee better results.

Alaska’s education system isn’t working for many students. Just pumping more money into it won’t cause it to fix itself. We must continue to implement education reforms that restore Alaska’s public education system to one that works for Alaskan families.” - Governor Mike Dunleavy

“The results of our achievement as educators and stewards of knowledge are displayed in the state and national learning results of those we teach. The need for a laser focus on high quality instruction and educational experiences is paramount to our students’ achievement. To accelerate our learning, we must use money differently.”  - Commissioner Deena Bishop.

Note: These scores and rank do not reflect 18% of Alaskan students enrolled in correspondence learning, and do not reflect students who have completed the early-learning reading program required by the 2022 Alaska Reads Act.

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The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development provides information, resources, and leadership to support over 130,000 students in 505 public schools across the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to ensure an “Excellent Education for Every Student Every Day.”

Media Contact: Bryan Zadalis, Public Information Officer - (907) 465-2800