Story perspectives

Middle School Reading Hits 1971 Low, Nine-Year-Olds Recover

6/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

The 2024-2025 assessment showed 71% of nine-year-olds met reading benchmarks, back to pre-pandemic levels, while 58% of thirteen-year-olds met benchmarks, the lowest since 1971.
Math benchmarks were reached by 84% of nine-year-olds and 70% of thirteen-year-olds, with no gain since 2023.
Only 14% of thirteen-year-olds reported reading for fun daily, down from 27% in 2012.
Lesley Muldoon of National Assessment Governing Board urged schools to intensify support for middle-school learners.

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Story summary

The 2024-2025 assessment showed 71% of nine-year-olds met reading benchmarks, back to pre-pandemic levels, while 58% of thirteen-year-olds met benchmarks, the lowest since 1971.
Math benchmarks were reached by 84% of nine-year-olds and 70% of thirteen-year-olds, with no gain since 2023.
Only 14% of thirteen-year-olds reported reading for fun daily, down from 27% in 2012.
Lesley Muldoon of National Assessment Governing Board urged schools to intensify support for middle-school learners.