Alabama leads growth in reading and math scores, according to Nation's Report Card
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Data released Wednesday shows Alabama is one of few states to grow in reading and math scores nationally since the pandemic.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress is based on test scores in reading and math from fourth, eighth and 12th graders across the U.S. The test is given every two years.
Alabama State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey said he is pleased with elementary math scores but mentioned there's still more work to do.
'You may read in the national news that nationally, reading went down,' Mackey said. 'There were only two states that have recovered to pre-pandemic levels and seen growth, and that's Alabama and Louisiana.'
Since 2019, Alabama has jumped from 49th to 34th in the nation for fourth-grade reading. When it comes to fourth-grade math, Alabama moved from 52nd to 32nd in the nation in that time. Mackey said he wants to continue building on that growth.
'So we feel like what we're doing in the classroom is working, but it's going to be summer school. It's going to be after-school care. It's going to be intercessions,' Mackey said. 'What happens outside the classroom is almost as important as what happens in the classroom.'
Nation's Report Card: Alabama scores still below national average despite growth in 2024
Gov. Kay Ivey said Alabama is on the right path to continuing improvement.
'We're number two in the nation for the largest gains in reading,' Ivey said. 'So this is good news for Alabama, and we are grateful to the students, teachers and their parents.'
Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter said the legislature is ready to support those gains in education this year.
'This is the biggest move we've ever made since I've been here,' Ledbetter said. 'So we can be proud that we are more along the national average now instead of being at the bottom, so job well done.'
Corey Clements, Chilton County Schools superintendent, said the Literacy Act and improving attendance has been a key to success.
'We'll be starting the Numeracy Act coming up soon, and [we] hope to see as those students progress through the grades, we hope to continue to see our NAEP scores improve like this,' Clements said.
Mackey said the Alabama Department of Education will be submitting a record budget request to the legislature in 2025 aimed at helping students improve.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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