Massachusetts Ranks 19th in Math Recovery and 27th in Reading from 2019 to 2024
Recently released findings from the Education Recovery Scorecard—a collaboration between the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University and The Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University—highlight a significant decline in Massachusetts' academic performance. Historically, the state has consistently scored among the highest nationally in both reading and math. They note:
Massachusetts ranked 19th among states for recovery in math and 27th in reading between 2019 and 2024. However, this summary does not reflect the improvements made between 2022 and 2024, during which Massachusetts ranked 9th in math and 16th in reading.
Despite some gains, students are still lagging behind their pre-pandemic performance. On average, students are nearly half a grade level behind 2019 reading levels (0.48 grade level equivalents). In math, although there has been a gain of 0.27 grade level equivalents since 2022, students remain 0.42 grade levels behind where they were in 2019. This indicates that the loss in math achievement in Massachusetts represents nearly 40% of the progress students typically make annually between grades 4 and 8.
A staggering 82% of students are in districts where the average math achievement in 2024 is below their 2019 levels, and 86% find themselves in districts where reading achievement has not yet returned to pre-2019 levels. In particular, students from districts such as Revere, Fall River, Everett, and Framingham are at least a grade level behind in math, with Lynn students falling two grade levels behind. Moreover, students in Framingham, Revere, and Lynn remain at least 1.5 grade equivalents below 2019 levels in reading.
However, there are some positive developments: mean achievement for students in Lexington, Brookline, Newton, Plymouth, and Brockton is nearing 2019 levels in math. Additionally, the average student in Lexington has surpassed reading levels from 2019, while students in Newton and Plymouth are approaching those benchmarks.
Massachusetts received nearly $2.9 billion in federal pandemic relief for K-12 schools, equating to about $3,000 per student—less than the national average of $3,700 per student. Analysis suggests that these funds positively impacted academic recovery, particularly when directed toward initiatives like summer learning and tutoring. (Education Recovery Scorecard: Massachusetts)
Additional Instructional Time Helps Students Recover
The New York Times article, "Covid Learning Loss" by David Leonhardt highlights trends in national data showing the significant effect the pandemic still has on students' academic progress across the country. Leonhardt noted that the data suggests a possible impact of the political divide. As leaders in red and blue states made different decisions on in-person schooling, some public schools in Democratic areas remained closed for almost a year while in some predominantly Republican regions were only closed in the spring of 2020.
The data also has identified districts, including those in economically disadvantaged areas, that have effectively recovered from COVID-related learning loss. Notable success stories include districts in Compton, California; Ector County, Texas (which includes Odessa); Union City, New Jersey; and Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Leonhardt highlights that access to subsidized after-school tutoring and summer school programs has significantly contributed to these students' academic recovery.
Investing in Quality Instruction for Student Success
As districts nationwide develop their improvement plans, it's crucial to recognize that students achieve optimal learning when they are taught by skilled educators.
In these moments, it's tempting to look for a "quick fix" like a computer-based reading or math program, but the real investment should be in access to quality instructional time. Be it through MTSS programs during the school day, after-school tutoring, or summer school programs, students deserve the chance to reach their educational potential.
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