NAEP scores show a continued downward trend in Alaska and nationally.

National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) released the results of the 2024 nationwide assessment, showing that Alaska had some of the lowest Mathematics and Reading scores among fourth and eighth graders. The assessment looked at the entire state of Alaska and did not provide data into separate school districts.

In two of the four categories tested—Grade 4 Math, Grade 4 Reading—Alaskan students experienced no statistically significant change, Grade 8 Reading and Mathematics saw declines.

Of the 53 jurisdictions (50 states plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and Department of Defense Schools) tested, Alaskan students ranked the following:

Grade 4 Math: 51

Grade 4 Reading: 51

Grade 8 Reading: 51

Grade 8 Math: 47

NAEP assessments are seen as a national report card and a window into what students are learning, describing what students are able to do. NAEP tests a representative sample of students in each jurisdiction every two years to achievement is based on a national proficiency standard of 500.

Out of a possible 500 points, fourth-graders here in Alaska scored an average of 202 in Reading and 226 in Math, while Alaska’s eighth-graders averaged 246 points in Reading and 264 in Math.

While the school district scores are not yet available, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani is optimistic, looking at the whole picture versus one assessment.

"The NAEP assessment provides a broad look at national and state-level trends, but it does not provide results by district. In the Mat-Su Borough School District, we focus on meaningful, real-time data that drives student success, including graduation rates, i-Ready, AK STAR, PSAT, CTE enrollment, AP exams, and common assessments. Graduation rates are at a three-year high, literacy is improving with the Alaska Reads Act, and we have record participation in CTE and Advanced Placement. All the data specific to our district points to incredible student growth and achievement in the Mat-Su Borough School District,” he said, adding:

“The results speak for themselves. MSBSD schools are succeeding."

It is also important to note that the scores and rank do not reflect 18% of Alaskan students enrolled in correspondence learning, and do not reflect students who have completed the early-learning reading program required by the 2022 Alaska Reads Act.

“The results of our achievement as educators and stewards of knowledge are displayed in the state and national learning results of those we teach. The need for a laser focus on high quality instruction and educational experiences is paramount to our students’ achievement. To accelerate our learning, we must use money differently,” said Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop.

The typical fourth grader in 2023-2024 school year was in kindergarten when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schools in spring of 2020. The implementation of the Alaska Reads Act was less than one year in when NAEP testing occurred.

Meanwhile, Governor Mike Dunleavy says that students are still struggling years after the COVID-19 pandemic. “The national decline in NAEP scores demonstrates that Alaska students are still struggling because of lost instructional time and lax remote-learning standards during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress allocated Alaska $620 million in COVID relief for education, yet student achievement still declined. More money doesn’t guarantee better results.”

He went on to say that throwing more money into the education system is not the answer.

“Alaska’s education system isn’t working for many students. Just pumping more money into it won’t cause it to fix itself. We must continue to implement education reforms that restore Alaska’s public education system to one that works for Alaskan families.”