Along with the nation, Missouri’s 2022 scores on national math and reading assessments fell in both Grades 4 and 8, according to data released today by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The last year NAEP assessments were administered was 2019.

“The results serve as another indicator that high-quality instruction matters,” said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “It’s clear that the pandemic had an impact on student learning and that there is work to do. We must use this information, alongside state and local metrics, to continue accelerating post-pandemic learning with improved systems and processes to meet the needs of each student.”

NAEP assesses Grade 4 and Grade 8 students across the country in math and reading every two years. In response to pandemic-related disruptions, the 2021 NAEP assessments were deferred until 2022. Missouri’s 2022 data are based on scores from a sample size of 1,800 students in each of the four test categories.

While both the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) and NAEP score students on a below basic/basic/proficient/advanced scale, it should be noted that the NAEP proficient achievement level does not necessarily reflect grade-level proficiency as determined by the MAP test. Missouri designs its own assessments through the work of Missouri educators and sets its own standards for Grade 4 and Grade 8 reading and math proficiency.

Here are results for the percent of students scoring at or above the basic level on the 2022 NAEP exams:

In addition, here are Missouri’s comparisons of average 2022 scores to the other 49 states:

For more information and scores, visit the NAEP website.

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