In 1969, the first National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) was administered. This assessment, often referred to as the Nation’s Report Card, aims to evaluate the academic proficiency of U.S. students by administering standardized tests in reading, math, and science to students in grades 4, 8, and 12. When the NAEP was most recently administered in 2024, scores were found to have dropped to an all time low. In recent years, scores for 12th grade students have been on a gradual yet steady decline. As of 2024, only 22% of 12th grade students were “at or above NAEP proficient” in mathematics, and only 32% were proficient in reading. 

So why is this and what does it mean for current high school students?

Is it because of COVID? Are the phones finally getting to us? Or are students just getting ‘dumber’? In reality, the most common trend associated with decreased NAEP scores is chronic absenteeism. The U.S. Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as “missing at least 10 percent of school days, or approximately 18 days in a year, for any reason, excused or unexcused.” According to the Nation’s Report Card, in 2019, 25% of 12th grade students missed three or more school days in the month leading up to taking the NAEP. This number rose to 31% in 2024. 

While student absences were an issue years before the pandemic started, it is undeniable that the almost year and a half spent in either remote or hybrid learning prompted a shift towards more and more classwork being done online. This has contributed to the student sentiment that what’s being done in school can be done just as easily at home. Still, it is important to acknowledge that not all absences are just because a student ‘didn’t feel like it.’ Aside from student disengagement, the most common drivers behind absences are a lack of support both in and out of school, as well as student/family health issues.

Chronic absenteeism is a national issue, but it is an especially large issue in New York State, with the U.S. Department of Education reporting that 35% of New York students missed ten or more days in the 2022 school year. 

Moral of the story: the best way to ensure you are reaching your full academic potential is by simply coming to school. But also, all of this information emphasizes the importance of checking in on your chronically absent peers. It might be that they simply weren’t in the mood, but there could also be something deeper going on. Whatever the case is, it never hurts to reach out.