These Pa. schools buck the trend of declining test scores

Key Points:

• New data from the national Education Scorecard shows U.S. students remain nearly half a grade level behind pre-pandemic reading scores and only slightly better in math, with a long-term decline in reading predating the pandemic.
• West Allegheny School District in Pennsylvania is an example of success, with students improving reading by nearly half a grade level and math by three-quarters of a grade level since 2019, attributed to high-quality teaching, early literacy focus, and data-driven instruction.
• Pennsylvania ranks 21st in math growth and 27th in reading among 38 states analyzed, with students still about half a year behind pre-pandemic learning levels, despite some districts showing progress through expanded reading interventions and personalized learning time.
• States that improved reading scores have mandated phonics-based "science of reading" instruction, leading Pennsylvania to require evidence-based reading curricula and frequent early grade screenings by 2027-2028 to address reading proficiency gaps.
• Experts emphasize that improving reading scores also requires addressing chronic absenteeism and fostering family and community partnerships, as schools alone cannot resolve all educational challenges.