CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The newly released National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report indicates that West Virginia ranks below the majority of states in academic performance.
“Despite West Virginia showing modest improvements in certain areas, the overall outlook for public education remains disconcerting,” Tiffany Hoben, the Cardinal Institute’s Director of Education Partnerships and Strategy, said. “According to NAEP’s recent scores, the vast majority of our state’s students are not meeting grade-level expectations in reading and math.”
NAEP, often referred to as The Nation’s Report Card, released its 2024 national assessment of 4th and 8th grade students’ academic performance for reading and math.
Outlined below are West Virginia’s results for the four key benchmarks:
- 4th Grade Reading: 25% at or above proficient, resulting in 75% not on grade level (Ranked 42nd nationally)
- 4th Grade Math: 31% at or above proficient, resulting in 69% not on grade level (Ranked 38th nationally)
- 8th Grade Reading: 21% at or above proficient, resulting in 79% not on grade level (Ranked 47th nationally)
- 8th Grade Math: 17% at or above proficient, resulting in 83% not on grade level (Ranked 46th nationally)
“These results are not a reflection on students,” Hoben said. “Despite billions in taxpayer dollars spent on public education, West Virginia has seen little return in terms of academic progress. It’s crucial now more than ever for the state to prioritize academic transparency, ensuring that funds are allocated effectively and directly aimed at improving academic outcomes—the foremost priority for all schools.”
A notable result from the recent NAEP scores was Louisiana’s significant academic progress, with 4th grade students leading the nation in reading gains. Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Vice President Stacey Melerine attributes this success to “…the power of a strong academic foundation and a relentless focus on academic excellence,” leading to improved literacy scores and greater student success.
“Our students deserve a high-quality education, and families have the right to know how resources are being used to improve academic achievement,” Hoben said. “I encourage parents to actively engage with their schools, ensuring they have a clear understanding of the curriculum, resources, and strategies being implemented to support their children’s education.”
Access the 2024 NAEP results for both West Virginia and the nation here.
Founded in 2014, the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit dedicated to researching, developing, and communicating effective free-market public policies for West Virginia.
