New federal test data shows that American teenagers’ reading and math scores have stagnated and remain below pre-pandemic levels, even as younger students show signs of recovery. The gap between 9-year-olds and 13-year-olds is growing, and experts say the window to reverse these trends is narrowing fast.
UTICA, NY — America’s teenagers are falling further behind, and the latest federal test data makes it impossible to ignore. Teens’ reading and math scores have stagnated, US test results show, with 13-year-olds recording no measurable improvement in either subject between 2023 and 2025 — and their averages still sitting well below where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
The results come from the National Assessment of Educational Progress Long-Term Trend assessment, the closest thing the country has to an academic report card. For families in the Mohawk Valley and across upstate New York, these numbers aren’t abstract. They represent real kids in real classrooms, and a real question about whether public education is keeping pace with what students need.
Why Are Students Scoring Lower on Standardized Tests?
The short answer: COVID-19 disrupted years of learning, and older students haven’t recovered the way younger ones have. But the pandemic only accelerated problems that were already building.
When schools closed in 2020, students lost structured instruction, peer interaction, and the routines that support learning. For 13-year-olds, those were critical developmental years. Unlike 9-year-olds, who had more time to rebuild skills in a stable classroom environment, teenagers moved through middle school during the most chaotic period in modern education history.
Key contributing factors include:
- Chronic absenteeism, which spiked during and after the pandemic and remains elevated in many districts
- Mental health challenges among adolescents, which interfere directly with concentration and academic engagement
- Teacher shortages, particularly in math and special education, leaving classrooms understaffed
- Reduced instructional time during remote learning, with many students logging on inconsistently or not at all
How Much Have Teen Test Scores Declined in the Last Decade?
Teens’ reading and math scores have stagnated, US test results show, but the decline actually began before 2020. Federal data indicates that 13-year-olds’ scores in both reading and math were already trending downward in the years leading up to the pandemic. COVID-19 then accelerated those losses sharply between 2020 and 2022.
The 2025 results confirm that no meaningful recovery has occurred for this age group. Their scores remain significantly below 2020 levels in both subjects. By contrast, 9-year-olds gained 4 points in both reading and math between 2022 and 2025, effectively returning to pre-pandemic reading performance and making substantial progress in math.
That divergence tells an important story: early intervention works, but teenagers need targeted support that they are not yet receiving at scale.
What Impact Does COVID Have on Student Learning Outcomes?
COVID-19’s impact on student learning has been deep and uneven. The pandemic didn’t affect all students equally — it widened gaps that already existed along lines of race, income, and geography.
Students from lower-income families were more likely to lack reliable internet access, quiet study space, and adult supervision during remote learning. Students with disabilities often lost access to specialized services entirely. English language learners faced compounded barriers when instruction moved online.
For teenagers specifically, the social and emotional toll was severe. Adolescence is a period when peer relationships and a sense of belonging drive motivation. Isolation during those years left lasting marks on engagement and attendance that test scores now reflect.
What Socioeconomic Factors Affect Student Academic Performance?
Income is one of the strongest predictors of academic performance in the United States. Students from low-income households consistently score lower on standardized assessments, and that gap has widened since 2020.
Factors that compound the challenge include:
- Food insecurity, which affects concentration and attendance
- Housing instability, which disrupts school enrollment and continuity
- Limited access to tutoring, enrichment programs, and technology outside school hours
- Parents working multiple jobs, leaving less time for homework support
In communities like Utica and across the Erie Canal corridor, where poverty rates and economic inequality remain persistent challenges, these factors hit especially hard. Public education reform that ignores economic inequality will always fall short.
Are There Differences in Test Scores Between Urban and Rural Schools?
Yes, and the gaps are significant. Urban schools often serve higher concentrations of students living in poverty, with greater needs and — in many cases — older facilities and higher teacher turnover. Rural schools face different but equally serious challenges: geographic isolation, fewer specialized staff, and limited access to advanced coursework.
In upstate New York, both dynamics are present. Districts in the Adirondack region and smaller communities near Rome, NY and New Hartford struggle to recruit and retain qualified teachers. Utica’s urban schools serve a large immigrant and refugee population with complex needs that require additional resources.
The result is a two-tier system where a student’s zip code largely determines their academic opportunity — a reality that demands policy attention at the state and federal level.
How Do US Student Test Scores Compare to Other Countries?
The United States consistently scores in the middle of the pack among developed nations on international assessments like PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment). Countries including Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Estonia, and Canada regularly outperform American students in math and reading.
The gap is most pronounced in mathematics. American 15-year-olds score below the average for OECD nations in math, a trend that has persisted for years. Reading scores are closer to average but still lag behind top-performing countries.
Researchers point to several differences: higher teacher pay and status in top-performing countries, more consistent national curriculum standards, and stronger social safety nets that reduce the impact of poverty on learning.
Are Public or Private Schools Performing Better in Math and Reading?
Private school students, on average, score higher on standardized tests than public school students. But this comparison requires important context. Private schools serve a more affluent student population and are not required to accept all students, including those with disabilities or complex learning needs.
When researchers control for socioeconomic factors, the performance gap between public and private schools narrows considerably. High-performing public schools in well-funded districts often match or exceed private school outcomes.
The more productive question isn’t public versus private — it’s what resources and supports make any school effective, and how to ensure every student has access to them.
Which States Have the Best Student Academic Performance?
States in the Northeast and upper Midwest consistently rank among the highest performers on national assessments. Massachusetts has long led the country in both reading and math. New Jersey, Connecticut, and Minnesota also rank near the top.
New York State performs above the national average overall, but those statewide numbers mask significant variation. Suburban districts in Westchester and Long Island score very differently from urban districts in Buffalo, Rochester, and Utica.
States that invest more per pupil, maintain strong teacher certification standards, and provide robust early childhood education programs tend to produce better long-term outcomes.
What Teaching Methods Might Help Improve Student Test Scores?
Evidence-based instruction is the clearest answer. Research consistently supports several approaches:
- Structured literacy programs that use phonics-based reading instruction, particularly for younger students
- High-dosage tutoring, where students receive frequent, small-group academic support
- Extended learning time, including after-school and summer programs that prevent skill loss
- Culturally responsive teaching that connects curriculum to students’ lived experiences and identities
- Social-emotional learning (SEL) integrated into daily instruction to address the mental health barriers to academic engagement
The challenge isn’t a lack of knowledge about what works. It’s scaling these approaches equitably across underfunded districts.
What Programs Are Helping Struggling Students Improve Academic Skills?
Several districts and states have launched targeted recovery programs with early positive results. High-dosage tutoring initiatives in cities like Chicago and Houston have shown measurable gains in math. AmeriCorps literacy programs have expanded reading support in low-income schools. Some states have extended the school year for students who are furthest behind.
Locally, Utica City School District has pursued federal relief funding to expand tutoring and mental health services. Sustaining those programs beyond the initial funding window remains the central challenge.
Nonprofit organizations, community colleges, and workforce development partners in the Mohawk Valley are also stepping up — offering after-school programs, literacy initiatives, and STEM education opportunities that supplement what schools can provide.
How Do Student Test Scores Affect College Admissions?
Test scores remain a factor in college admissions, though their weight has shifted. Many colleges and universities went test-optional during the pandemic and have maintained or made permanent those policies. Still, strong standardized test scores can open doors to scholarships and selective programs.
For students in lower-income communities, declining academic performance has real consequences beyond admissions — it affects eligibility for remedial coursework requirements in college, workforce readiness, and long-term earning potential.
What Resources Can Parents Use to Help Their Kids Improve Test Scores?
Parents don’t need to wait for policy change to take action. Practical steps include:
- Khan Academy (free): Offers personalized math and reading practice aligned to grade-level standards
- Local library programs: Many public libraries in Oneida County offer free tutoring, homework help, and summer reading challenges
- School communication: Request regular progress reports and ask teachers directly what skills need reinforcement at home
- Reading aloud together: Even with teenagers, shared reading builds vocabulary and comprehension
- Limiting screen time during homework hours: Consistent study environments improve focus and retention
Are Online Learning Platforms Effective for Student Academic Improvement?
Online platforms can be effective, but they work best as supplements rather than replacements for in-person instruction. Research on platforms like Khan Academy, IXL, and Duolingo shows measurable gains when students use them consistently and with adult guidance.
The digital divide remains a real barrier. Students without reliable broadband access at home — a persistent problem in rural upstate New York — can’t benefit from these tools equally. Expanding broadband access isn’t just an infrastructure issue; it’s an education equity issue.
Conclusion: What Comes Next for America’s Students
The data is clear and the stakes are high. Teens’ reading and math scores have stagnated, US test results show, and the window to reverse these trends before this generation enters the workforce is getting smaller every year. Younger students are recovering — proof that targeted investment and consistent instruction work. But teenagers need that same urgency applied to their education right now.
For Mohawk Valley families, this isn’t a distant national problem. It’s happening in classrooms across Utica, Rome, and every district in between.
Here’s what you can do:
- Contact your school board representative and ask what recovery programs are funded and tracked for results
- Attend upcoming town hall meetings on education budgets in Oneida County
- Advocate for sustained funding for tutoring, mental health services, and extended learning time
- Support local literacy initiatives and volunteer with after-school programs
- Register to vote and make education funding a priority when evaluating candidates in local and state elections
What are your thoughts on this development? Let us know in the comments below. For more local updates, sign up for our newsletter or read our coverage on education reform and public school funding across upstate New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the latest US test results show about teen academic performance?
The 2025 federal Long-Term Trend assessment shows that 13-year-olds made no measurable improvement in reading or math compared to 2023, and their scores remain significantly below pre-pandemic 2020 levels.
Did younger students recover from pandemic learning loss?
Yes. Nine-year-olds gained 4 points in both reading and math between 2022 and 2025, effectively returning to pre-pandemic reading levels and making substantial math progress.
Why haven’t teenagers recovered the way younger students have?
Teenagers experienced the most disruptive years of the pandemic during critical developmental stages. They also face compounding challenges including chronic absenteeism, mental health struggles, and less targeted recovery support than younger students received.
How do US teen test scores compare internationally?
American students score below the OECD average in math and near average in reading on international assessments. Countries like Singapore, Japan, and Estonia consistently outperform the US.
What is the NAEP Long-Term Trend assessment?
It’s a federal standardized test administered by the National Center for Education Statistics that tracks reading and math performance for 9-year-olds and 13-year-olds over time, serving as a consistent national benchmark.
Does poverty affect student test scores?
Yes, significantly. Students from low-income households consistently score lower, and the gaps widened during and after the pandemic due to unequal access to technology, tutoring, and stable learning environments.
Are there free resources to help teenagers improve their test scores?
Yes. Khan Academy offers free, personalized practice in math and reading. Public libraries in many communities provide free tutoring and homework help programs.
What teaching approaches have shown the strongest results?
High-dosage tutoring, structured literacy instruction, extended learning time, and social-emotional learning integrated into daily teaching have the strongest evidence base for improving student outcomes.
Does it matter whether a student attends a public or private school?
When researchers account for socioeconomic differences, the performance gap between public and private schools narrows substantially. School funding and resource levels matter more than the public/private distinction itself.
What can parents do right now to help their teenagers academically?
Parents can use free platforms like Khan Academy, communicate regularly with teachers, establish consistent homework routines, support reading at home, and advocate at school board meetings for evidence-based recovery programs.
