10.24.22

Chairman Scott Reacts to 2022 National “Report Card”

WASHINGTON – House Education and Labor Committee Chair Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) issued the following statement after the National Center for Education Statistics released the results of the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics and Reading Assessments. The 2022 NAEP found significant declines in math and reading scores for grades 4 and 8 compared to 2019. In math, average score declines were historic, and achievement gaps widened for our most vulnerable students, including students of color, students from families with low incomes, and students with disabilities.

“When schools were forced to quickly transition to remote learning at the beginning of the pandemic to protect the health and safety of students and staff, we knew our children’s education could be disrupted.  The results released today from the Nation’s Report Card confirm that the pandemic significantly impacted student learning, causing many of them to fall behind.  These results help us better understand the scope of problem, and therefore where resources need to be targeted.

“Thankfully, through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Democrats provided states and school districts with the resources they needed to reopen schools safely, keep them open safely, and make up for lost learning.  Moreover, requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act ensure that states and school districts measure and address academic achievement gaps.

“Unfortunately, instead of working with Democrats to address students’ needs, Republican politicians are politicizing classrooms, banning books, and attacking teachers.

“Moving forward, states and school districts must continue to use ARPA funds to meet students’ needs and close widening achievement gaps, and the Department of Education must continue working to ensure that states follow through on their plans to get our students back on track.”

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