Ranking Member Scott Statement on the Nation’s Report Card
WASHINGTON – House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the National Center for Education Statistics released the results of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics and Reading Assessments.
“COVID-19 was a once-in-a-century pandemic that highlighted existing inequities in our nation’s education system. Regrettably, today’s report from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that we have not been able to close achievement gaps, which existed even before the pandemic.
“However, today’s report card makes it clear that we need sustained investment over time to comprehensively close widening achievement gaps. Without long-term federal commitment, schools will constantly be on the back foot, without the tools they need to succeed.
“Regrettably, despite the clear need for federal support, Republicans have chosen to hinder our education system by banning books, threatening to freeze Head Start funds, and policing bathrooms.
“Congressional Democrats will continue to fight to give students, teachers, and families proper support at this critical time. The Trump Administration’s Department of Education must work with states and localities to ensure that they are implementing the plan to close achievement gaps, support families, and provide schools the resources they need to provide all children with a quality education.”
Background: The 2024 NAEP found an increase in mathematics scores for grade 4 and no significant change to mathematics scores for grade 8. The report also found significant declines in reading scores for grades 4 and 8 compared to 2019. The gap between higher- and lower-performing students continued to increase in both mathematics and reading for grades 4 and 8. Black students remained steady from 2022 across subject areas and grade levels, however they are still more than 10 points behind White students in all subject areas. Overall, student scores have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, although absenteeism has gone down from its height during the pandemic.
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