A recent study from the National Center for Education Statistics found that about one-third of K-12 students will be behind on their grade level at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
of Report The study found that 32% of U.S. public school students were behind on grade level as of June 2024, down from 33% at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Additionally, 78% of schools surveyed reported that students were missing too much class time because they were staying home with “mild symptoms,” leading 69% to offer incentives to increase attendance.
of investigation Respondents were asked whether their students were behind grade level in several subjects, including English/language arts, math, science, computer science, foreign language and social studies. (Related article: Teacher absenteeism puts strain on schools as students suffer prolonged learning loss after pandemic)
About 6.5 million students are considered chronically absent in the 2021-2022 school year, meaning they missed 10% of class time. K-12 students saw their largest ever decline in reading achievement since the COVID-19 pandemic, and math achievement also declined for the first time in 2022.
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 24: Students' backpacks hang from chair backs in a classroom on the second to last day of classes. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Public schools in the Northeast and Midwest both reported 31% of students behind grade level, while public schools in the West reported 39%, both of which are increases since June 2022. Public schools in the South reported 29% of students behind grade level, up from 34% previously.
The report found that suburban schools saw a 2% increase in the percentage of students behind grade level between June 2022 and June 2024, while town schools remained stable at 31%. Rural schools reported a 6% decrease over the same period, while urban schools reported a 1% decrease.
According to the full report, the School Pulse Panel surveyed 1,651 schools.
Elementary school children who were infants and toddlers during the pandemic are reported to be experiencing behavioral problems at school and showing signs of delayed motor skill development.
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