Posted in: Aha! Blog > Great Minds Blog > Reseach > Nation’s Report Card is Sobering; Great Minds Partner Districts Lead the Way in Math Gains
The latest Nation’s Report Card delivered disappointing news: U.S. students continue to slide in reading; math results are mixed. But we saw some bright spots in the data.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, and its disruption to public education, we saw sharp declines in student performance nationally, exacerbating pre-existing achievement gaps. That continued in significant ways on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card.
Reading scores were down in fourth and eighth grade. However, in math, fourth graders nationally gained 2 points, a sign of resilience on the report card. Eighth graders nationally had stagnant math scores and widening gaps between high- and low-performing students. These trends have left schools searching for effective, research-backed solutions to shield students from further setbacks and accelerate their learning going forward.
A look at Louisiana
At the state level, Louisiana—a long-time adopter of high-quality instructional materials—continues to lead the way in recovery. It’s the only state that has surpassed its pre-pandemic achievement levels in reading and is close to hitting that mark in math. Louisiana’s fourth graders gained 6 points in math, outpacing the national average increase of just 2 points, with improvements seen across low-, middle-, and high-achieving students. While eighth-grade math scores remained flat, mirroring national trends, this grade and subject were the hardest hit by the pandemic, both in Louisiana and across the country.
We’re proud that 65% of Louisiana districts use Great Minds math curricula, and 61% use our curricula paired with implementation services.
At Great Minds, we’re also thrilled to see very strong gains in other education systems using our instructional resources, including the following districts, which participate in the Trial Urban Assessment District program.
- In Baltimore, fourth-grade math scores rose 8 points, with improvements at all achievement levels, while eighth-grade scores remained steady.
- DC Public Schools saw a 10-point gain in fourth-grade math, bringing students about back to 2019 performance levels.
- Detroit gained 6 points in fourth-grade math
- Guilford County’s 8-point increase in fourth-grade math reflected gains across all achievement levels, reinforcing their focus on strong learning opportunities for all students.
- Houston ISD saw a 7-point gain in fourth-grade math, with growth among students at all achievement levels.
What’s driving this success? Beyond strong instructional materials, Great Minds provides robust educator support through curriculum-aligned professional learning and coaching. An independent third-party study confirms that pairing Great Minds math resources with professional development drives student proficiency, reinforcing the impact of a comprehensive, educator-centered approach.
What is NAEP and Why is it Important?
The National Assessment of Educational Progress is the largest nationally representative assessment of U.S. student achievement in key subjects like math and reading. Administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, NAEP provides a uniform measure of student performance across states and districts.
NAEP is important because it tracks long-term trends and highlights achievement gaps. Unlike state tests, which vary in content and performance levels, NAEP offers a consistent benchmark for comparing student progress over time, across groups, and across states and some districts. Its results help shape education policy and direct resources where they are needed most.
The 2024 NAEP results are particularly significant as they help gauge the extent of pandemic-related learning loss and the progress of educational recovery efforts. With reading scores continuing to decline and math showing only partial recovery, the data serves as a call to action for evidence-based policies and practices to support students at risk of falling further behind.
The Nation’s Report Card in Math: A Tale of Recovery and Disparities
The 2024 NAEP mathematics results reveal a nuanced picture of recovery. Fourth-grade students are showing signs of rebounding from pandemic-era declines, with overall score improvements across key percentiles. More students are reaching proficiency, and gains are seen across racial groups and regions. While this is encouraging, the average score remains below 2019 levels, signaling that full recovery is still out of reach.
In contrast, eighth-grade mathematics tells a more concerning story of widening gaps. While high-performing students (75th and 90th percentiles) are making gains, lower-performing students (10th and 25th percentiles) continue to struggle, deepening the divide between high and low achievers. Additionally, some historically marginalized groups—such as Hispanic students, economically disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities—saw declines. The national eighth-grade math average remains far below pre-pandemic levels, reinforcing concerns about long-term learning loss and inequities.
The Nation’s Report Card in Reading: A Persistent Decline with No Clear Rebound
Unlike the partial recovery seen in fourth-grade math, reading scores continue their downward trajectory, with declines at nearly all performance levels. Reading scores in fourth grade have been slipping since before the pandemic, and 2024 results confirm that the decline has not reversed. Fewer students are achieving proficiency, and more are falling below the basic level of reading competency. Notably, declines were seen across multiple racial groups, including Asian, White, and multiracial students, as well as both male and female students.
Reading scores for eighth grade paint an even starker picture of sustained losses. The declines are evident across the lower and middle percentiles, and the percentage of students scoring below NAEP Basic is now at its highest level since the assessment began in 1992. Scores dropped in multiple states and urban districts, with Hispanic and White students experiencing significant declines. The results suggest a broader literacy crisis that predates the pandemic, and which has worsened in its aftermath.
A Path Forward: Scaling What Works Through Implementation Support
The 2024 NAEP results reinforce what we know: high-quality instructional materials are essential but aren’t enough on their own. Success depends on strong implementation and sustained educator support. Districts pairing high-quality curricula with professional learning, coaching, and data-driven decision-making are seeing real, measurable gains.
At Great Minds, we partner with schools and districts to support ongoing implementation efforts, ensuring educators have the training, tools, and ongoing support needed to drive student success. Through curriculum-aligned, observationally-based coaching and collaborative implementation strategies, we help create the conditions for lasting growth.
The path forward is clear: scale what works. By expanding access to structured, research-backed implementation support, we can turn today’s bright spots into positive national trends—ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.
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Sara Pixley, Senior Director, Research and Evaluation
As Head of Research at Great Minds, Sara brings 20+ years of experience in internal, external, and evaluation research, leveraging deep customer insights to shape product development, strategy, and thought leadership. Holding a PhD in Cognitive Science with a focus on the neuroscience of lifespan learning and memory, she has designed and evaluated impactful learning solutions for learners of all ages, from children to corporate leaders, across hundreds of global organizations.
Topics: Reseach