One Utah lawmaker wants to ban cellphones from the classroom. Photo: Adobe Stock
SALT LAKE CITY —New test results show the impacts of the pandemic on math and reading scores.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress, otherwise known as the Nation’s Report Card, showed huge declines in math and reading tests for both fourth and eighth grades.
“It’s a bad report. Utah’s report is less bad,” said Mark Peterson, spokesperson for the Utah State Board of Education.
Utah fourth graders saw a significant dip in math scores.
“Learning math is essential and it’s, kind of, a key time in mathematics because that’s when we introduce fractions,” Peterson.
Fourth-grade reading scores were also down at the same rate nationally and in Utah.
Eight-grade reading and math scores showed no significant change from 2019. But nationally, many states saw big declines.
But this is only one test. Peterson said they use other tests also to gauge how Utah students are performing. And many of those results, like the RISE test, paint a broader picture of what’s happening.
“It still leaves a long way for us to get back on track,” Peterson said.
Additionally, he said the best thing you can do is be aware of where your child might be falling behind.