20年来的最差评估！美报告：美国基础教育正陷入结构性“滑坡”

Core Insights - The NAEP 2024 report indicates that U.S. high school students have achieved the lowest scores in reading and mathematics in nearly 20 years, reflecting a structural decline in American education due to multiple factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, unstable education policies, and social issues [1][2][3] Performance Decline - The NAEP, established in 1969, is the most significant academic assessment in the U.S., covering core subjects like mathematics, reading, and science [2] - 12th-grade students' math and reading scores have dropped to the lowest levels since the tests were established, with 45% of students scoring below the "basic level," the highest percentage since 2005 [2] - Nearly one-third of 12th graders did not reach the "basic level" in reading, indicating a significant decline in literacy [2] - In 8th-grade science tests, nearly 40% of students failed to meet the "basic level," a notable increase since 2019 [2] Contributing Factors - The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the decline in educational quality, but other long-term factors such as increased screen time and reduced reading opportunities have also contributed [3] - A significant increase in student absenteeism has been noted, with 31% of 12th graders reporting missing more than three days of school in a month, up from 26% in 2019 [3] Educational Disparities - The report highlights a widening achievement gap, with the previously narrowing gender gap in science scores re-emerging, particularly affecting female students [4] - The reduction of educational research staff during the Trump administration has led to the cancellation of numerous assessments, exposing instability in U.S. education governance [4] Policy Responses - U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed concern over the historical low performance and emphasized the need for decentralizing educational funding to allow states more control over resource allocation [5] - Critics argue that the political response to the declining scores has been inadequate, with existing policies failing to address the long-term trends in educational performance [6] - The report serves as a wake-up call for the American education system, but the potential for actual reform depends on internal coordination and policy execution within the education sector [6]