You know that sinking feeling when you realize something’s seriously wrong? That’s exactly what education experts are experiencing right now. American students aren’t just struggling—they’re hitting rock bottom in ways we’ve never seen before. In 2024, only 35% of U.S. 12th graders demonstrated proficiency in reading, which is a record low since the reading assessment was first given in 1992.
The numbers don’t lie, and honestly, they’re pretty scary. We’re talking about test scores that would make your high school guidance counselor cry. But here’s the thing—this isn’t just about numbers on a page. This is about a generation of kids who might graduate without the basic skills they need to, well, function as adults.
NAEP scores keep dropping like a rock
Remember when getting “below basic” on a test was the exception, not the rule? Those days are long gone. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores have been sliding downhill faster than a kid on a water slide.
High school seniors’ math and reading scores in 2024 were the worst in the test’s history. We’re not talking about a little dip here—these are nose-dive levels of decline. The average 12th-grade math score is now the lowest it has been since NAEP began tracking in 2005. Reading scores? They haven’t been this bad since 1992.
Nearly half of the students can’t do basic math
Almost 45% of high school seniors scored at or below the “below basic” level in math. That’s nearly half of all graduating students who can’t handle everyday calculations. Think about that for a second—these are kids who can’t figure out a tip at a restaurant or calculate how much paint they need for a room.
Being “below basic” means these students lack even the most fundamental skills. We’re talking about kids who struggle with math concepts that were considered normal for their age group just a generation ago.
College readiness is becoming a joke
Want to hear something that’ll make college admissions officers weep? Only 33% of 12th graders met the NAEP benchmark for college-level math in 2024. That’s down from 37% just five years ago. So much for “college for everyone,” right?
Universities are scrambling to address this issue. They’re having to create more remedial courses and extend onboarding processes because incoming students aren’t adequately prepared. Imagine paying college tuition only to spend your first semester learning stuff you should’ve mastered in high school.
The rich-poor gap is getting ridiculous
If you thought income inequality was bad in the economy, wait until you see what’s happening in education. The achievement gap between high- and low-performing students is now the widest it has ever been since the NAEP began measuring.
Kids from wealthy families are holding steady while everyone else falls behind. It’s like watching two different educational systems—one that works and one that’s completely broken. Students from low-income, minority, and rural communities are getting hit the hardest.
Science scores are tanking, too
Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, science scores decided to join the party. Eighth-grade NAEP science scores dropped for the first time since 2009. Only 31% of 8th graders now meet “proficient” science standards.
This isn’t just about test scores—it’s about preparing kids for a world where technology is constantly evolving. How are we supposed to compete globally when our children struggle to grasp basic scientific concepts?
COVID made everything way worse
The pandemic didn’t create these problems, but it certainly amplified them. School closures and remote learning hit struggling students like a wrecking ball. Absenteeism among seniors increased to nearly one-third in 2024, up from 26% before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Remote learning worked well for some children—usually those with supportive families and reliable internet. For everyone else? It was a disaster. The pandemic basically took existing inequalities and put them on steroids.
We can’t keep teachers in the classroom
Over 40% of schools struggled to hire qualified teachers in 2024. That’s not a typo—we’re talking about nearly half of all schools that can’t find enough teachers. When you can’t staff classrooms properly, learning goes out the window.
The teacher shortage hits hardest in subjects such as math, science, and special education—precisely the areas where students are struggling the most.
School funding is still a mess
Some districts spend $26,000 per student, while others manage with less than $8,000. That’s not a funding gap—that’s a funding canyon. Property tax-based funding means that affluent neighborhoods receive excellent schools, while poorer areas often receive the leftovers.
When schools lack sufficient funding, everything suffers. Old textbooks, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of extracurricular programs—it all adds up to a subpar education. You can’t run a quality school on wishful thinking and good intentions.
The digital divide is real, and it hurts
During the pandemic, over 15 million students—that’s one in three—lacked reliable internet or devices for remote learning. Even now, 10% of families struggle with internet access for basic homework and research.
Think about trying to compete in school when you can’t even Google something for a report. The digital divide isn’t just about technology—it’s about access to the modern world. Children without internet access are essentially educational refugees.
Nobody reads for fun anymore
Only 37% of high school students read for pleasure at least once a week. That’s down from 60% in 2012. When kids don’t read for fun, their reading skills suffer across the board.
Teachers report that students have shorter attention spans and struggle with complex texts. It’s hard to develop critical thinking skills when you can barely focus long enough to read a complete article. TikTok attention spans don’t translate well to Shakespeare.
Mental health problems are everywhere
Depression rates among teenagers jumped from 13% before the pandemic to 26% in 2024. When kids are dealing with anxiety, depression, and hopelessness, learning takes a backseat to survival.
Schools with higher mental health absence rates also exhibit the most significant declines in test scores. It’s pretty hard to focus on algebra when you’re struggling to get through the day. Mental health and academic performance are more connected than most people realize.
Kids just don’t show up
Chronic absenteeism—missing at least 10% of school days—affected 29% of students in 2023. That’s nearly double the pre-COVID rate of 15%. When kids aren’t in school, they can’t learn. It’s pretty basic math, ironically.
Missing 20 or more days in a school year can set students back by up to two grade levels.
“Teaching to the test” is killing creativity
Here’s something that’ll make your head spin: 89% of teachers in tested subjects spend more than half their time prepping for standardized tests. That leaves precious little room for actual learning, creativity, or critical thinking.
When everything revolves around test prep, students learn to be good test-takers, not good thinkers. They memorize formulas without understanding concepts.
Curriculum quality is all over the map
Schools using strong, research-based math curricula score up to 22 points higher than those using outdated programs. But there’s no consistency—what works in one district might be completely different from what’s used next door.
Teacher preparation varies wildly by region and budget. Some teachers get top-notch training, while others are basically thrown into classrooms and told to figure it out.
Employers say graduates aren’t ready
Only 41% of companies think new hires have “acceptable” writing and quantitative skills. Think about that—most employers believe recent graduates can’t write correctly or do basic math. That’s not a great advertisement for our education system.
Companies are having to create extensive onboarding programs and remedial courses to get new employees up to speed.
The importance of lifelong learning
The reality is stark: American students are falling behind, and the gaps are widening. We’re not just talking about test scores here—we’re talking about a generation that might not have the tools they need to succeed in life. The foundation just isn’t there anymore—be it in reading comprehension, basic math, or critical thinking.
This isn’t about pointing fingers or assigning blame (though there’s plenty to go around). It’s about recognizing that we have a serious problem that needs serious solutions. Because if we don’t address this issue soon, we will be dealing with its consequences for decades to come.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025—No Experience Needed
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025
I used to think investing was something you did after you were already rich. Like, you needed $10,000 in a suit pocket and a guy named Chad at some fancy firm who knew how to “diversify your portfolio.” Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out how to stretch $43 to payday.
But a lot has changed. And fast. In 2025, building wealth doesn’t require a finance degree—or even a lot of money. The tools are simpler. The entry points are lower. And believe it or not, total beginners are stacking wins just by starting small and staying consistent.
Click here, and let’s break down how.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the same things I always do, but my bill keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
