Maine’s low scores on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress are worth noting, given Maine ranks 15th in the country in per pupil spending. Our fourth graders ranked 43rd both in reading and math, and eighth graders were 27th in math and 35th in reading.
How refreshing it would be for the state Department of Education to acknowledge that Maine needs to do better because Maine children deserve better. Instead, its spokesperson points to COVID, “small sample sizes,” and “new evidence-based math and literacy programs.” COVID affected every state, and many states with higher poverty rates scored better than Maine.
If one looks at earlier results, Maine’s scores have been on the decline for at least 10 years. It’s pointless to talk about Maine’s future in a 21st century economy if the workers of tomorrow can’t read or write well.
Christine Gianopoulos, Greene
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