In reading, the nation's students are still stuck in a pandemic slump

A student raises their hand in a classroom at Tussahaw Elementary School in 2021 in McDonough, Ga.

New 2025 testing data shows third- through eighth-graders scored far below 2019 levels in reading. In math, some grades have made gains, but all are lagging compared to before the pandemic.

(Image credit: Brynn Anderson)