Test scores decline in Nebraska, but remain at or above national average

Nebraska students did worse on a national test of math and reading this year than before the pandemic, but are still doing better than students in most other states.

The test scores are from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as “the nation’s report card.” The results show Nebraska students in the fourth and eighth grades tested worse this year in reading than in 2019, the last year the test was administered before the pandemic. Test scores also declined in math, although for fourth graders, the decline was not statistically significant. Still, the math scores were above the national average, while the reading scores were not significantly different. Department of Education spokesperson David Jespersen said a relatively quick return to in-person instruction probably helped.

“Within a year of the pandemic starting, every student had an opportunity at least to be back in the classroom. There were definitely states that were going years without getting back in the classroom,” Jespersen said.

Nationwide, no states showed improvement in average reading or math scores from 2019. The decline in math scores was the largest ever recorded.