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9-Year-Olds | 1971–2012

American Education Was Improving

For four decades, test scores rose steadily.

250 240 230 220 210 1971 1984 1996 2004 2012 221 +13 pts 244 +25 pts
Reading
Math
Scroll
9-Year-Olds | 2012–2023

Until It Wasn't

In just 11 years, all the gains were erased.

250 240 230 220 210 2012 2020 2023 215 -6 pts 234 -10 pts Back to where we started in the 1970s
Reading
Math
All Age Groups | 1971–2023

The Older They Get, The Worse It Gets

17-year-olds showed zero progress in 40 years. Then the test was canceled.

+30 +15 0 -15 -30 Age 9 Age 13 Age 17 Test canceled Gain (1971–2012) Loss (2012–2023)
Demographics | 9-Year-Olds

Who Gained — and Who Lost — the Most

The students who gained the most ground also lost the most.

1970s → 2012 2012 → 2023 +40 +30 +20 +10 0 Reading +7 +36 +25 Math +18 +34 +29 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 Reading -6 -7 -6 Math -6 -12 -10
White
Black
Hispanic
High School GPAs vs Test Scores | 2010–2021

Better Grades, Worse Performance

A 3.0 GPA student scored 19 on the ACT in 2010 — but only 15 in 2021.

3.40 3.30 3.20 3.10 GPA 21.5 21.0 20.5 20.0 ACT 2010 2013 2016 2019 2021 3.36 20.3 3.17 21.0
Avg. High School GPA
Avg. ACT Score
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