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EdTrust-West Responds to New National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Data

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EdTrust-West Responds to New National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Data

 
Today’s release of the Nation’s Report Card should sound a nationwide alarm. The latest results—8th-grade science scores and 12th-grade math and reading scores for the class of 2024—reveal a troubling reality: instead of the progress our students deserve, too few are supported to learn in core subjects while gaps by race and income stubbornly persist. Just 33% of high school seniors demonstrated proficiency in reading, with an even more alarming 21% reaching proficiency in math. Meanwhile, 8th-grade science scores released today for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic show concerning declines, even as scientific literacy becomes increasingly vital to our economic future.
 
As the federal government steps back from supporting high-quality education, California must stay the course—investing in diverse, well-prepared teachers, funding schools based on student needs, and ensuring access to culturally and linguistically responsive curricula. Continued data collection, like NAEP, is essential to guide decisions and empower families.
 

These results make one thing clear: now is the time to invest in and improve public schools, not abandon them.

Among the newly released results, gaps of note include: 

  • Less than 50% of Black students and 60% of Latinx students scored at or above a basic level in reading, compared to 75% of white students. A much smaller share – only 17% of Black 12th graders and 24% of Latinx 12th graders – were supported to reach the more rigorous standard of demonstrating proficiency in reading, compared to 42% of white students.
  • In math, only 30% of 12th-grade Black students, 40% of 12th-grade Latinx students, and 38% of students from low-income backgrounds scored at or above a basic level, while 67% of white 12th-grade students were supported to do so. Only 6% of Black 12th graders and 9% of Latinx 12th graders were supported to demonstrate math proficiency compared to 28% of white students.
  • Only 12% of the nation’s Black 8th graders were supported to demonstrate proficiency in science in 2024, 1 percentage point fewer than 10 years ago. Only 18% of the nation’s Latinx 8th graders were supported to demonstrate proficiency in science, unchanged from a decade ago.

These disparities demand action—not silence. California must double down on its commitment to equity by ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education that empowers them to learn, grow, and thrive. This means investing in inclusive policies, targeted resources, and community-driven solutions that close opportunity gaps and uphold every child’s right to succeed.

See Staying Committed to Racial Equity in Challenging Times: EdTrust-West’s 2025 Policy Agenda for more on EdTrust-West’s policy priorities. 

About EdTrust-West 

EdTrust-West is an evidence-driven advocacy organization committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in California’s education system. For over two decades, EdTrust-West has worked to improve racial equity in education by engaging diverse communities and increasing political and public will to build an education system where students of color and multilingual learners will thrive. For more information, see www.edtrustwest.org. 

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Karla Fernandez

Communications Manager

Karla Fernandez (she/her/hers) joins Ed Trust–West as a Communications Manager with over 11 years of experience advancing social impact initiatives.

Karla started her career as a teacher at Chicago Public Schools and UIC College Prep. After teaching, Karla joined United Friends of the Children to support LA County’s youth in foster care as a college counselor. Through Leadership for Educational Equity, Karla also served as a Policy Advisor Fellow for the office of a Los Angeles Unified School Board Member. She solidified her interests in policy analysis and quantitative research during her time with the Price Center for Social Innovation, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability. Before joining The Education Trust–West, Karla was the Associate Director for the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative, a network of nonprofits advocating for communities in SELA.

Karla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, a Master of Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy, and a Graduate Certificate in Policy Advocacy from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Karla is based out of southern California and is passionate about using data analysis, communications, and digital strategies for policy advocacy and social justice efforts.