A report examines long-term patterns in student performance using data from national and international assessments. It identifies four key trends: Performance peaked in the early 2010s before declining, lower-performing students saw the steepest drops, U.S. achievement gaps are widening more than in other countries, and similar declines appear in adult literacy and numeracy. The report challenges assumptions about performance declines but overlooks key data, uncertainty, and causal research. While it highlights important trends, its analysis lacks depth, offering insights without fully explaining their causes.

Suggested Citation: Domaleski, C. (2025). NEPC review: Testing theories of why: Four keys to interpreting US student achievement trends. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. Retrieved [date] from https://nepc.colorado.edu/review/achievement