NAEP scores give us a real-time, nationwide scan of literacy in our schools. That’s why we call it the nation’s report card – but the most recent data isn’t happy reading, and to continue the analogy, gives us something like a D- on reading recovery. 

…What can we do about it? 

NAEP scores show us how easy it is to step back in time  

The latest numbers from 2024 show us that reading performance is slipping, not rebounding as we’d hoped. Average NAEP scores in reading for both fourth and eighth graders fell by two points compared to the previous assessment. 

For 13-year-olds, the most recent long-term trend scores dropped by four points since 2020. And whilst to an external observer these shifts might sound a little nominal, in the world of education, these are significant declines, pulling the national average in reading for 13-year-olds down to 256 (out of 500). That’s the lowest since the early 2000s – and for the lowest-performing students, NAEP scores resemble those last seen in the 1970s. 

When you break down 2024’s NAEP scores, it becomes clear that nearly every group of students has taken a hit. Students identifying as two or more races saw the biggest reading drop (down eight points). And the drop is steeper for kids who are already struggling: the 10th percentile (students scoring in the lowest group) lost seven points in reading. 

Wider trends in decline: what these NAEP scores tell us about the future 

As a sector, we all hoped that reading NAEP scores would bounce back as schools re-opened and routines returned. We also knew that it wasn’t likely to happen. 

And 2024’s NAEP scores seem to imply that the sector-wide skepticism was right. There’s been no widespread rebound in reading achievement, and it looks like things may be set to trend down over time. 

2019 Main NAEP (pre-pandemic baseline) 

Grade 4: 219 

Grade 8: 262 

2022 Main NAEP 

Grade 4: 216 (down 3 points from 2019) 

Grade 8: 259 (down 3 points from 2019) 

2023 Long-Term Trend NAEP (age 13) 

Age 13: 256 (down 4 points from 2020, lowest since 2004) 

2024 Main NAEP 

Grade 4: 215 (down 1 point from 2022, 4 points down from 2019) 

Grade 8: 258 (down 1 point from 2022, 4 points down from 2019) 

Student surveys that accompany NAEP scores also reveal part of the puzzle. Only 14% of 13-year-olds say they read for fun almost every day, down from 17% in 2020 and 27% a decade ago. Kids who read for pleasure are known to score higher in reading overall, so when that number drops, it’s often a red flag for future NAEP scores. 

Why an ongoing drop in NAEP scores should worry us all 

It’s tempting to see national NAEP scores as an abstract measure, but these learners are real kids – and their literacy skills directly impact their future grades, learning and life chances. 

That’s because literacy is the key that unlocks every subject, from math and science to history and English and social studies. Declining NAEP scores mean that thousands of students now face more challenges, not just in reading, but throughout their entire academic journey. 

But there’s another layer to the problem, too: the achievement gap is getting wider, and that’s an economic problem and an education one. 

The latest NAEP scores show the distance between the highest and lowest performers has expanded, and the reading skills of the lowest scorers are now the weakest since the test began tracking them. Experts watching NAEP scores worry that persistent drops will shrink the pool of skilled workers down the line, affecting everything from local communities to global competitiveness. Year after year of shrinking NAEP scores puts everyone – students, parents, employers – at risk of being left behind if we don’t find solid solutions. 

But what’s behind the ongoing drop in NAEP scores? 

So, what’s keeping NAEP scores on a downturn, and why can’t students catch up? 

There’s no single answer. As it ever is with education, it’s more like a puzzle with many pieces. It’s true that NAEP scores were beginning to slip a bit even before the pandemic, but COVID-19 changed everything for the worse and amplified that curve: school closures, the scramble to set up remote learning, and interruptions in classroom routines made it harder for students to get the support they needed. For many, this disruption never really healed, even when classrooms opened again… and as funding shifts and the cost of living crisis turns into a cost of learning crisis, schools in every state are struggling to resource the right amount of support, even with uplifts in the form of CLSD grants. 

Other pandemic factors – like increased stress and anxiety, less face-to-face time with teachers, and inconsistent access to resources – have also had a real effect. Some groups, including students of color and those from families with fewer economic resources, experienced steeper drops in their NAEP scores. These setbacks pile up, and the latest NAEP scores are the evidence. 

And finally, there might be something to be said for the rise of social media as a leisure pursuit, too: with reading for pleasure on the downturn and video-based social media sites like Instagram and TikTok commanding larger amounts of children and young people’s time than ever before, learners are missing out on the extra skill boosts that at-home reading can give them, meaning that that time in the classroom is even more precious than it was before.  

Digging deeper: Are absences dragging down NAEP scores? 

A closer look at absenteeism reveals another part of the story.  

Since 2020, chronic absenteeism – defined as missing a substantial number of school days – has surged and stayed stubbornly high. NAEP scores are particularly dire for students who miss the most school: among the lowest NAEP scorers, high rates of absenteeism are much more common. 

And our 2024 NAEP scores highlight this unfortunate pattern: even after the initial pandemic waves, absenteeism is not back to pre-pandemic levels.  

Too many students are simply not in the classroom regularly enough to keep up. The result? Gaps in foundational skills that grow month by month, and more students scoring in the lowest groups on NAEP scores. 

Looking at NAEP scores for the bigger picture of literacy 

The facts behind the most recent NAEP scores leave little doubt: America’s reading challenge has deep roots and wide-ranging impacts. These nationwide results are more than just numbers; they’re signals that literacy tools and learning strategies need urgent updates. 

When we look at who is missing out – whether due to absences, limited pleasure reading, or persistent achievement gaps – the story behind NAEP scores becomes a call to action for schools, communities, and policymakers. The urgency is real: if NAEP scores remain on a downward path, the consequences will echo through classrooms, workplaces, and neighborhoods for years to come. 

While there’s no all-in-one fix, using NAEP scores as a roadmap helps point out exactly where efforts and resources can make the greatest difference. Whether that’s tackling absenteeism head-on, supporting more opportunities for enjoyable reading, or finding new ways to help students who are furthest behind, the focal point must always be lifting NAEP scores for everyone – especially those at the greatest risk. 

By setting our sights on stronger NAEP scores, we’re setting the stage not just for academic recovery, but for opportunity, equity, and growth that reaches every classroom and community. The facts are clear, and the time to act – guided by the message NAEP scores are sending us – is now. 

Buck the NAEP scores trend with C-Pen Reader 3! 

If you’re searching for a way to stop the NAEP scores from sliding off the map in your school or district, C-Pen Reader 3 is a game-changer. It’s a reading pen designed by educators and crafted by the experts at C-Pen, with the express intention of supporting students with a wide range of reading needs – from those with dyslexia and other learning differences to English Language Learners (ELLs) and anyone who needs a boost in reading confidence. 

And it’s as simple as scan, listen, understand! Just move the pen across the page to hear the words relayed back via lighting-fast text-to-speech audio, and students can even hone skills further with practice mode, speedy translation in 40+ languages, scan-to-file functionality and a handy voice recorder. 

Here's how it all works:  

💡 Reader 3 reduces the need for additional reading specialists or paraprofessionals by providing individualized support right there at the student’s desk. 

💸 It also cuts down on the cost of expensive software licenses and ongoing subscription fees, meaning that you can streamline your school budget, and students get access to the simplest, most intuitive reading solutions – there’s no need for laptops or tablets. 

🗣️ Dedicated text-to-speech functionality creates inclusive classrooms by enabling all students to access grade-level content, regardless of their reading ability, as well as save, record and practice. 

⏰ It also frees up teacher time, so that you can focus time on whole-class instruction or small-group intervention, rather than one-on-one reading support. 

📈 And Reader 3 also comes with free access to training resources and lesson plans, so your team and your students can hit the ground running… because time is something we don’t have, when it comes to literacy. 

But it’s is not just another gadget: Reader 3 is a practical, customizable and proven solution for schools looking deliver better literacy outcomes for every student It’s not designed to raise NAEP scores: it’s designed to put the power to read with confidence in every learner’s hand at a price point that schools can access, to ensure that everyone has the tools they need to succeed. 

…The increase in your school or district’s NAEP scores is just a bonus.  

And if you’re looking for more information on how to get the most from your reading pen…  

We get it – in the age of information overload, when the stakes are high, sometimes you just need to make sure you’re making the right decisions with the funding you have available. That’s why we offer schools a FREE trial – so that you can see the benefits of reading pens in real-time, live in your own classroom.  

Working at a district level? You can take part in our Scanning Pens District Pilot Program, to explore a better way of resourcing reading support on a large scale, and improving outcomes for each and every group of learners that these NAEP scores highlight as at risk.  

Whatever your setting, we’re here to help.   

Call us on: +1 727 316 8101 

Email: usinfo@scanningpens.com