A new federal report confirms what many educators feared: American students are learning less, and the decline is steepest for those who were already struggling.

The Nation’s Report Card, released this week by the National Center for Education Statistics, shows high school seniors performing at historic lows in reading, math, and science. Nearly half of 12th graders are testing below basic levels in core subjects. In math, only 22% met proficiency standards. Reading scores are also troubling—just 35% of seniors tested at or above proficiency, a drop from 37% in 2019 and 40% in 1992.

Eighth graders did not fare much better. Only 31% demonstrated proficiency in science, underscoring what Education Secretary Linda McMahon called a “devastating trend”.

The pandemic’s impact looms large. Absenteeism has spiked, with 31% of 12th graders missing three or more days of school in a single month in 2024, up from 26% in 2019. Experts say lost instructional time and disengagement are compounding learning gaps.

Harvard education professor Marty West noted that the declines are sharpest among low-performing students. High achievers remain steady, but those in the bottom quarter are falling further behind. “American schools right now are really only preparing some students for success at the post-secondary level,” he warned.

McMahon argued that the problem isn’t funding levels but governance. Under pressure from President Trump to shift education control to the states, she has overseen staff cuts at the Department of Education—even affecting the team that produced the report.

For parents and educators, the message is clear: students need more support, not less. Staying engaged with schools, tracking attendance, and advocating for accountability will be critical if the U.S. hopes to reverse this downward slide.