Scores decline again for 13-year-old students in reading and mathematics

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) administered the NAEP long-term trend (LTT) reading and mathematics assessments to 13-year-old students from October to December of the 2022–23 school year. The average scores for 13-year-olds declined 4 points in reading and 9 points in mathematics compared to the previous assessment administered during the 2019–20 school year. Compared to a decade ago, the average scores declined 7 points in reading and 14 points in mathematics.

Figure Trend in NAEP long-term trend reading and mathematics average scores for 13-year-old students

Display AsGraphTable Display this data as 'Table' in the menu above for an accessible version of the data represented in this chart.

* Significantly different (p < .05) from 2023.

NOTE: The NAEP long-term trend (LTT) assessment results are reported by the year in which the school year ends. For example, the age 13 assessment was administered during the fall of the 2022–23 school year and results are reported as 2023 LTT at age 13.

This Highlights report compares performance on the NAEP long-term trend reading and mathematics assessments for age 13 students during the 2022–23 school year to previous assessment results, with a focus on results obtained in the 2019–20 school year. Results reflect the performance of a nationally representative sample of 8,700 thirteen-year-olds in each subject. Performance comparisons are based on statistically significant differences between assessment years and between groups. Explore details about the long-term trend assessments and how they differ from main NAEP assessments.

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I. Performance Trends by Percentiles

Reading scores decline at all selected percentiles since 2020

NAEP reports scores at five selected percentiles to show changes over time by lower- (10th and 25th percentiles), middle- (50th percentile), and higher- (75th and 90th percentiles) performing students. Percentiles are useful for understanding how overall score gains or losses are distributed across the student population and provide context for the national average score.

The 2023 reading scores for age 13 students at all five selected percentile levels declined compared to 2020. The declines ranged from 3 to 4 points for middle- and higher-performing students to 6 to 7 points for lower-performing students, though the score declines of lower performers were not significantly different from those of their middle- and higher-performing peers.

Figure Trend in NAEP long-term trend reading scores at five selected percentiles for 13-year-old students

Display AsGraphTableScalescore00180190200210220230240250260270280290300310320330340350500Assessment Year0'71'75'80'84'88'90'92'94'96'99'04'08'12'20'23Loading...Legend90th Percentile75th Percentile50th Percentile25th Percentile10th PercentileNOTE: The NAEP long-term trend (LTT) assessment results are reported by the year in which the school year ends. For example, the age 13 assessment was administered during the fall of the 2022–23 school year and results are reported as 2023 LTT at age 13.

Larger declines since 2020 for lower-performing students in mathematics

The 2023 mathematics scores for age 13 students at all five selected percentile levels declined compared to 2020. The declines ranged from 6 to 8 points for middle- and higher-performing students to 12 to 14 points for lower-performing students, with larger declines for lower performers in comparison to their higher-performing peers.

Figure Trend in NAEP long-term trend mathematics scores at five selected percentiles for 13-year-old students

Display AsGraphTableScalescore00180190200210220230240250260270280290300310320330500Assessment Year0'78'82'86'90'92'94'96'99'04'08'12'20'23Loading...Legend90th Percentile75th Percentile50th Percentile25th Percentile10th PercentileNOTE: The NAEP long-term trend (LTT) assessment results are reported by the year in which the school year ends. For example, the age 13 assessment was administered during the fall of the 2022–23 school year and results are reported as 2023 LTT at age 13.Share this result:

II. Performance Trends by Student Group

Scores decline for many student groups in reading, and for nearly all student groups in mathematics

The 2023 average scores in reading declined compared to 2020 for many student groups reported by NAEP; for example, scores were lower for both male and female 13-year-olds, for students eligible and not eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and for students attending schools in the Northeast and the Midwest regions. In mathematics, scores declined compared to 2020 for most student groups; for example, scores were lower for Black, Hispanic, and White 13-year-olds, for students attending schools in all regions of the country, for students eligible and not eligible for the NSLP, and for students at all reported levels of parental education.

See average score results for selected student groups through the drop-down menu selection below. Symbols in the figure indicate the score change between two sets of assessment years: from 2012 to 2020 and from 2020 to 2023. For example, in the figure below for race/ethnicity, the gray diamonds indicate that the 2020 reading score was not significantly different from the 2012 score for any racial/ethnic group with reportable results, and the down arrows indicate that 2023 reading scores declined for White and Black students and for students of Two or More Races in comparison to 2020.

In mathematics, the 11-point score decrease for female students compared to the 7-point decrease for male students resulted in a widening of the Male−Female score gap in comparison to 2020. Also, the 13-point score decrease among Black students compared to the 6-point decrease among White students resulted in a widening of the White−Black score gap from 35 points in 2020 to 42 points in 2023. In reading, there were no statistically significant changes in these score gaps in 2023 compared to 2020.

Select a student groupRace/ethnicitydown arrow

Figure Changes in NAEP long-term trend reading and mathematics average scores for 13-year-old students, by race/ethnicity: 2012, 2020, and 2023

Display AsGraphTableLoading...LegendScore increaseNo significant changeScore decreaseNAEP long-term trend performance levels for age 13NOTE: Results are not shown for Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students because reporting standards were not met. The NAEP long-term trend (LTT) assessment results are reported by the year in which the school year ends. For example, the age 13 assessment was administered during the fall of the 2022–23 school year and results are reported as 2023 LTT at age 13.Share this result:

III. Student Learning Experience

Students who took the long-term trend assessments in reading and mathematics during the 2022–23 school year also responded to a survey questionnaire. Students taking the long-term trend reading assessment were asked how often they read for fun on their own time; students taking the long-term trend mathematics assessment were asked which type of mathematics course they were currently taking; and all students were asked about the number of days they had been absent from school in the previous month.

Students’ responses to survey questions provide information with which to compare performance based on their self-reported characteristics and educational experiences. This information may be valuable in helping parents, educators, and policymakers understand what aspects of students’ experiences are related to achievement. Survey questionnaire results, however, do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the characteristic or experience and student achievement. NAEP is not designed to identify the causes of performance differences. Numerous factors interact to influence student achievement, including local educational policies and practices, the quality of teachers, and available resources. Such factors may change over time and vary among student groups.

Percentage of students missing 5 or more days of school monthly has doubled since 2020

Students who took the 2023 long-term trend reading and mathematics assessments were asked how many days of school they had missed in the last month. Responses to the survey question for both subjects indicate a decrease in the percentages of 13-year-old students reporting having missed none to 2 days in the past month compared to 2020. Conversely, there were increases in the percentages of 13-year-old students who reported missing 3 or 4 days and students who reported missing 5 or more days in the last month. The percentage of students who reported missing 5 or more days doubled from 5 percent in 2020 to 10 percent in 2023.

For both reading and mathematics, students with fewer missed school days generally had higher average scores in 2023 than students with more missed school days.

Figure Percentage of 13-year-old students in NAEP long-term trend reading, by number of days student absent from school in a month: 2020 and 2023

Display AsGraphTableLoading...

Fourteen percent of students report reading for fun almost every day, lower than previous years

In 2023, fourteen percent of students reported reading for fun almost every day. This percentage was 3 percentage points lower than 2020, and 13 percentage points lower than 2012. Overall, the percentage of 13-year-old students who reported reading for fun almost every day was lower in 2023 than in all previous assessment years.

The average reading score in 2023 for those students who reported reading for fun on their own almost every day was 275, which was higher than the scores for students who reported other levels of frequency for reading on their own time. See a data table with average score results.

Figure Trend in percentages of 13-year-old students in NAEP long-term trend reading, by how often they read for fun on their own time

Display AsGraphTable0Loading...Legend*Significantly different (p < .05) from 2023.NOTE: The NAEP long-term trend (LTT) assessment results are reported by the year in which the school year ends. For example, the age 13 assessment was administered during the fall of the 2022–23 school year and results are reported as 2023 LTT at age 13.

Compared to their lower-performing peers, larger percentage of higher-performing students report more frequently reading for fun

Fifty-one percent of 13-year-old students scoring at or above the 75th percentile in 2023 reported that they read for fun on their own time at least once a week, whereas 28 percent of 13-year-old students scoring below the 25th percentile reported doing so. The percentage of students who reported reading for fun on their own time once or twice a month was also larger for students at or above the 75th percentile. Conversely, the percentages of students who reported reading less frequently—a few times a year or never or hardly ever—were larger for students performing below the 25th percentile.

Figure Percentage of 13-year-old students in NAEP long-term trend reading, by selected percentiles and by how often they read for fun on their own time: 2023

How often do you read for fun on your own time?	Proportion of lower-performing students (below 25th percentile)	Proportion of higher-performing students (at or above 75th percentile)
At least once a week	28%*	51%
Once or twice a month	13%*	18%
A few times a year	16%*	13%
Never or hardly ever	42%*	17%

* Significantly different (p < .05) from students performing at or above the 75th percentile.

Smaller percentage of students report taking algebra compared to a decade ago, but no change from 2020

Students were asked, "What kind of mathematics are you taking this year?" and were given five response options: I am not taking mathematics this year; regular mathematics; pre-algebra; algebra; and other. Compared to 2020, there were no significant changes in the percentages of students by type of mathematics taken during the 2022–23 school year.

Compared to 2012, however, the percentage of 13-year-old students in 2023 who reported they were taking regular mathematics increased from 28 to 42 percent, while the percentage of students taking pre-algebra decreased from 29 to 22 percent, and the percentage of students taking algebra dropped from 34 to 24 percent.

Average scores were lower in 2023 for all types of mathematics courses presented compared to 2020. See a data table with average score results.

Figure Trend in percentages of 13-year-old students in NAEP long-term trend mathematics, by type of mathematics taken during the school year

Compared to their lower-performing peers, larger percentage of higher-performing 13-year-old students report taking algebra

Forty-four percent of 13-year-old students scoring at or above the 75th percentile in 2023 reported that they were taking algebra during the 2022–23 school year, whereas 10 percent of students scoring below the 25th percentile reported doing so. There was no significant difference between the percentages of lower- and higher-performing 13-year-old students who reported currently taking pre-algebra. The percentage of students who reported taking regular mathematics was higher for students performing below the 25th percentile: Fifty-two percent of lower performers reported taking regular mathematics compared to 23 percent of higher-performing students who reported doing so.

Figure Percentage of 13-year-old students in NAEP long-term trend mathematics, by selected percentiles and by type of mathematics taken during the school year: 2023

What kind of mathematics are you taking this year?	Proportion of lower-performing students (below 25th percentile)	Proportion of higher-performing students (at or above 75th percentile)
Not taking mathematics	8%*	#
Regular mathematics	52%*	23%
Pre-algebra	17%	21%
Algebra	10%*	44%
Other	12%	12%

# Rounds to zero.

* Significantly different (p < .05) from students performing at or above the 75th percentile.

IV. Explore More Long-Term Trend Data

Generate custom tables for age 13 students in NAEP long-term trend reading and mathematics across all assessment years.

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V. More About the Age 13 Assessment Content and Sample

Since the 1970s, the NAEP long-term trend assessments have been administered to monitor the academic performance of students across three age levels (9-, 13-, and 17-year-old students). This report mainly focuses on the comparison of age 13 students (typically in grade 8) between 2020 and 2023. A report card summarizing results for 9- and 13-year-old students across all administrations back to the 1970s is forthcoming.

Read more about the differences between LTT and main NAEP assessmentsdown arrow

There are several differences between long-term trend and main NAEP assessments in reading and mathematics.

LTT reading was first administered in 1971 and LTT mathematics was first administered in 1973. Main NAEP assessments in reading and mathematics date back to the 1990s; frameworks for these assessments are periodically revised to reflect curricular changes.

LTT assessments in reading and mathematics are administered to students sampled by age, while main NAEP assessments are administered to students sampled by grade.

LTT assessments in reading and mathematics are less frequently updated than main NAEP assessments in these subjects and are less reflective of changes in curriculum.

LTT assessments are paper-based, while main NAEP assessments are digitally-based.

The instruments and methodologies of LTT and main NAEP assessment programs are different; therefore, direct comparisons between the LTT results presented in this report and the assessment results presented in other main NAEP reports are not possible. Read more about the differences between long-term trend and main NAEP assessments.

Read more about the LTT reading and mathematics sample and data collectiondown arrow

Although the LTT assessments are typically administered every four years, NCES decided to administer the long-term trend assessments to provide data on post-pandemic student performance. The assessments at age 13 were administered from October to December of the 2022–23 school year. Results are based on a nationally representative sample of approximately 8,700 students in each subject. Of the 460 schools that participated in 2023, eighty-two percent had participated in 2020. The LTT data collection at age 13 complements the data previously collected and reported for age 9.

Read more about the content of the LTT reading and mathematics assessments down arrow

The long-term trend (LTT) assessment in reading requires age 13 students to read a variety of short texts (expository pieces, poems, riddles, advertisements, and story excerpts) and to respond to questions about what they read. Students participating in the 2023 LTT reading assessment read passages and responded to questions in three 15-minute sections. Each section contained three or four short passages and approximately 10 questions. The majority of questions were presented in a multiple-choice format, though most sections included one constructed-response question.

Assessment questions are designed to measure reading comprehension skills, primarily to

locate specific information in the text provided;
make inferences based on information in two or more parts of the text; and
identify the main idea in the text.

The LTT assessment in mathematics requires age 13 students to respond to a variety of questions designed to measure

knowledge of basic mathematical facts;
ability to carry out computations using paper and pencil;
knowledge of basic measurement formulas, as they are applied in geometric settings; and
ability to apply mathematics to daily living skills, such as those involving time and money.

Students participating in the LTT mathematics assessment responded to questions in three 15-minute sections. Most sections contained between 22 and 26 questions. The majority of questions students answered were presented in a multiple-choice format, but some constructed-response questions were included in each of the sections.

Show notes and sourcesdown arrow

NOTE: The NAEP long-term trend (LTT) reading and mathematics scales range from 0 to 500. Because the scales were developed separately for each subject, comparisons cannot be made from one subject to another. Black includes African American. Hispanic includes Latino. Race categories exclude Hispanic origin. The information about National School Lunch Program (NSLP) variable is based on available school records. If school records were not available, the student was classified as "Information not available." The category "students with disabilities" includes students identified as having either an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or protection under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The results for students with disabilities and English learners are based on students who were assessed and cannot be generalized to the total population of such students. See more information about student group variables. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding or the omission of categories. Although the estimates (e.g., average scores or percentages) are shown as rounded numbers in the charts, the positions of the data points in the graphics are based on the unrounded numbers. Unrounded numbers were used for calculating the differences between the estimates, and for the statistical comparison test when the estimates were compared to each other. Not all apparent differences between estimates are statistically significant. NAEP reports results using widely accepted statistical standards; findings are reported based on a statistical significance level set at .05, with appropriate adjustments for multiple comparisons. Only those differences that are found to be statistically significant are referred to as "higher" or "lower."

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), various years, 1971–2023 Long-Term Trend (LTT) Reading and Mathematics Assessments.

Scores decline again for 13-year-old students in reading and mathematics