Washington state is facing a critical challenge in math education as a new report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation reveals that a majority of eighth graders were not proficient in math in recent years. The report, part of the foundation’s 2024 Kids Count Data Book, sheds light on the decline in math and reading proficiencies since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the report, a staggering 72% of eighth graders in Washington state were found to be not proficient in math in 2022, marking an increase from 60% in 2019. These findings are concerning as fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math scores serve as crucial indicators of a student’s likelihood to complete high school, pursue higher education, and attain equal earning potential as their peers in adulthood.
The report’s data book, which examines proficiency rates in classrooms nationwide, underscores the need for urgent action to address the decline in math and reading proficiency. The foundation’s website also offers recommendations for improvement.
However, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has pushed back on the report, emphasizing the positive strides made in education within Washington state since the pandemic. While Washington state’s math proficiency rates are slightly better than the national average, with 74% of eighth graders nationally not proficient in math, the state still faces significant challenges in this area.
According to the Washington State Report Card, 67.7% of eighth graders did not meet grade-level standards for math during the 2022-23 school year, a notable increase from 54.2% in the 2018-19 school year. These statistics highlight the urgency of addressing the issue and implementing effective strategies to improve math education.
In addition to math proficiency, the report also highlights a concerning trend in reading proficiency among fourth graders. The report reveals that 66% of fourth graders in Washington state were not proficient in reading in 2022, showing a 1% increase from 2019. The state’s report card indicates that 51% of fourth graders did not meet grade-level standards for English Language Arts in 2022, compared to 43.1% in the 2018-19 school year.
OSPI, in response to the report, has emphasized the positive developments in the state’s education system. The department points to record-high graduation rates and rates of kindergarten readiness as evidence of progress. Furthermore, Washington state is one of only five states to have seen an increase in ACT scores since 2021, according to OSPI.