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The U.S. Department of Education has revealed alarming statistics: nearly 45% of high school seniors lack essential maths skills, while over 30% fall short in basic reading abilities, according to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results. These figures represent a concerning decrease to their lowest point in over thirty years, causing significant ripples within the education community and arousing concerns about the future workforce.

 

The NAEP, regarded as the nation’s largest education assessment, highlights a significant drop in average maths and reading scores among 12th graders. In the maths section, it was found that 60% of students could calculate a population using population density and area, but less than half could translate real-life situations into algebraic equations. The report catalogues skills across number properties, algebra, and real-world problem-solving, showing a marked increase in the number of students performing below the NAEP Basic achievement level compared to both 2019 and 2005.

 

Reading outcomes are equally concerning, with only 20% of students able to draw conclusions from text using provided data, although most could identify the purpose of persuasive essays. The assessment evaluates comprehension using literary and informational texts, revealing that 32% are below the NAEP Basic level, a rise from previous years. Acting Commissioner Matthew Soldner noted that the decline is especially stark among lower-performing students, continuing a downward trend that predates the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Experts and officials have voiced serious concerns over these findings, with U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon calling the situation a "devastating trend." She has highlighted the pressing need for reforms, noting that nearly half of seniors are inadequately prepared as they approach pivotal life stages such as entering the workforce or pursuing higher education. Her statement stressed the irony of increasing expenditure on K-12 education while achievement gaps widen.

 

Looking forward, the education department faces mounting pressure to address these educational deficiencies. The need for innovative approaches to teaching and learning is apparent, with an emphasis on developing students’ proficiency in critical thinking and literacy skills. The outcomes of these assessments will likely drive policy debates and reforms aimed at reversing this troubling trajectory.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• 45% of U.S. seniors fall below basic maths standards.
• Reading scores have declined, with 32% performing below basic levels.
• Officials stress the urgent need for educational reforms.

 

Read more World News stories here

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-09-15

 

 

How many people even use algebra after theyve graduated? I got As and Bs in math and never used it for anything

Only half ? 

What do the other 60% do?

7 minutes ago, angryguy said:

How many people even use algebra after theyve graduated? I got As and Bs in math and never used it for anything

Anybody who pursued hard science, engineering or computer science. 

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

The report catalogues skills across number properties, algebra, and real-world problem-solving, showing a marked increase in the number of students performing below the NAEP Basic achievement level compared to both 2019 and 2005.

The timing is right at when the insane influx of the distractions of the DEI lunacy was being infiltrated.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

• 45% of U.S. seniors fall below basic maths standards.
• Reading scores have declined, with 32% performing below basic levels.
• Officials stress the urgent need for educational reforms.

Now that explains a lot!!!!!

2 hours ago, angryguy said:

How many people even use algebra after theyve graduated? I got As and Bs in math and never used it for anything

 

It's not the math it's the analytical, CT skills behind that and writing as well

Most of this is going to come out of woke and inner city cluster<deleted> environments. Still, I expect kids are pretty stupid these days in general judging by what I read on the Internets

 

 

Then there's the abusive woke environment. The teachers may have passed their exams but they have long since forgotten whatever may have learned at Lowbrow University. It's all about wasting time and having fun. Math, writing not fun and challenging to teach. Not only that but you need to correct the work and monitor the students. That's a job and those individuals have no interest in doing that. Therefore it's all about who's sucking whose dick what and the color is your hair.

 

 

Most worldwide can't do basic math.  Blame the calculator, now, smartphone apps.  

 

Most can't do or even know the rules of simple equations.  Let along trying to figure out something like the area of a circle.  TBH, I forgot most of the formulas myself, and just ask google.

 

Ask what the square root of a number, or to the 3rd power, and you'd get a blank stare ... 'what's that?'

Look at how many here can't also. And here if you fail, you go onto the next grade anyway. At least in the west you have to pass everything to go onward. Most of what you learn in school isn't useful as far as life skills in concerned, besides reading and writing of course. Unless you enter college, where you still need what you learned in high school, you go to the workforce, where math is only useful in certain areas, and where calculators, computers and apps take over. 

I love the poorly educated — Trump, 2016
Now his wet dream:
Half can’t do math
Barnum was right — the rubes keep coming.

21 hours ago, webfact said:

The U.S. Department of Education has revealed alarming statistics: nearly 45% of high school seniors lack essential maths skills,

And the other 75% can't add up

21 hours ago, webfact said:

The U.S. Department of Education

I thought they were planning to shut this down?

The sinking educational standards began in the 1960s when universities began inflating grades because the protesting  Vietnam generation also began to question their own failing grades.

So, the poor dears were awarded Ds or Cs rather than Fs, so no one had to admit that they had failed.

All we need to do is pay the teachers more.  We need to get rid of the Teacher Unions.  During Covid, teachers were kept from the classrooms.  Paycheck comes first.

Today math tomorrow meth

I'm sure rfkjr will be along to explain.

 

Vaccines?

 

And a Secretary of Education who was formerly a professional wrestling executive should be the right person to boost math performance?

 

 

23 hours ago, angryguy said:

How many people even use algebra after theyve graduated? I got As and Bs in math and never used it for anything

Every day for decades, calculus too.

Nearly half voted for Harris.

 

Coincidence? 

 

I think not.  

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

Nearly half voted for Harris.

 

Coincidence? 

 

I think not.  

The educated half.

20 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Look at how many here can't also. And here if you fail, you go onto the next grade anyway. At least in the west you have to pass everything to go onward. Most of what you learn in school isn't useful as far as life skills in concerned, besides reading and writing of course. Unless you enter college, where you still need what you learned in high school, you go to the workforce, where math is only useful in certain areas, and where calculators, computers and apps take over. 

Not any more, they pass whether they can or not, and move on to the next grade in some schools.   In my hometown school, excellent, one of best in the state, when I went.   Within 3 yrs or so when I graduation, they merged the 4 town to a 'district' school, and one town couldn't pass.  

 

Solution, lower the grade point needed to pass 

 

Within 10 years, same school, district, was 2nd from the bottom, grade rating, drop out rate, drugs & gangs.   I was dating a gal that had 2 kids, and I took them out of it, put them in private school.   What a difference.

 

Agree that most you learn is useless, unless going the 'trade' route, which was available, get to learn the basic to start a job in the 'trades' instead of prep for college, which most didn't attend.

23 hours ago, angryguy said:

How many people even use algebra after theyve graduated? I got As and Bs in math and never used it for anything

 

Some will say that it explains why you occupy a lower socio economic tier.

Many US students receive A and B grades that are more a reflection of their school's low academic grading criteria, rather than their actual academic achievement. An average student at Exeter Academy will most likely be a student of high academic standing if enrolled at the typical rural school in Louisiana or Alabama.

12 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Some will say that it explains why you occupy a lower socio economic tier.

Many US students receive A and B grades that are more a reflection of their school's low academic grading criteria, rather than their actual academic achievement. An average student at Exeter Academy will most likely be a student of high academic standing if enrolled at the typical rural school in Louisiana or Alabama.

So rich white kids are smarter than poor black kids? How you frame a question affects the answer you come up with.

32 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

So rich white kids are smarter than poor black kids? How you frame a question affects the answer you come up with

no no .    mister  ( asleep at the wheel for 4 years pretending to give a hoot as president can be quoted as saying

 

“We have this notion that somehow if you’re poor, you cannot do it. Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids,”     

... the vegatable man is truly a maggot !

36 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

So rich white kids are smarter than poor black kids? How you frame a question affects the answer you come up with.

 

Joe said it best. 😃

 

 

Bless his little cotton socks. 😆

8 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Joe said it best. 😃

 

 

Bless his little cotton socks. 😆

Don’t forget that Math was deemed “racist” just a few years ago.

 

I’d like to see a demographic breakdown of who is failing math and reading.

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-public-schools-change-math-instruction-more-equitable/
 

And they are employing “companies” like this to determine the politically correct way to indoctrinate kids today…

 

https://www.quetzalec.com

 

We are a Black and Brown womxn-led educational consulting firm with a national network of teachers, administrators, and community organizers. Through innovative content and approaches, Quetzal supports your antiracist goals to tangibly and impactfully disrupt oppression.

49 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

So rich white kids are smarter than poor black kids? How you frame a question affects the answer you come up with.

 

Rural schools in Alabama and Louisiana are primarily white . Louisiana is 32%  black and its rural black population is  concentrated is a few parishes. Less than 10% of the Alabama rural population is black. Exeter Academy is almost evenly split between whites and other ethnic groups and is recognized for its gender and ethnic diversity. It is more ethnically diverse than LA and AL.

Therefore, your attempt to introduce a red herring, a canard, a non relevant subject into the issue has fizzled. Some of us do think before writing. 😆  

 

Well, basic teaching went out the window decades ago while parents simply do not care any longer - or do not understand as well, what their kids are all about. 

Thailand, copying almost everything from the US, applies the same "education system" by having the children memorizing everything - so they can pass the test at the end of the trimester. Most of that knowledge is learnt by heart but not understood. Never mind the details, the degree is apparently what counts. 

Compared to the US, where almost half cannot calculate and one in three hardly can read - guess what? Even there the Thais followed suit; I would assume that 95% of Thai grown-ups lack essential mathematic skills and except the very selected few all others cannot write their own language without a mistake. 

The writing is on the wall, instead of studies of "political science" or other fancy titles like "business administration", leaving Thai students with empty hands - except the worthless degree - the Thais would be much better off applying Central European education methods. Take German-speaking Europe as an example. 5% of kindergarteners finish education with a university degree, the remaining 95% are the backbone of the society and economy. Most go through an educational programme of three to four years AFTER formative school years. This additional programme, an apprenticeship, results in professional bakers, painters, builders, mechanics, butchers, administration staff - in short - the works. These apprenticeship programmes are split in ⅓ school time - focussing on the particular subject of their apprenticeship. For i.e. a cook; they are being taught different knives are for what, how to prepare/preserve food, how to cook from scratch without powders, potions, pastes and other processed elements. Preparation of meat is using different board colours to cut to distinguish chicken, pork or fish; sauces are also taught from scratch and the result is, that European graduates of any apprenticeship programme has work, income and satisfaction while being a valuable asset to economy and the financial backbone of a country. 

Way to go - and not essentially only down the American alley .......... 

It is worth noting that the left controls and operates virtually every aspect of education in the United States. 

3 hours ago, Purdey said:

I thought they were planning to shut this down?

 

With results like the OP, do you blame them? 

 

The US education system needs to be torn down and rebuilt.  Keep in mind they're talking about seniors, who have spent 12-13 years in the system.  So you can't blame Trump.  But many will anyway.  That's an issue with logic education.