'Our kids are bearing the brunt': School test scores drop to lowest level in decades, report reveals

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A new report shows the devastating impact school closures had on students during the pandemic.

"I just think the scores are very reflective of the last two or three years with COVID and different states and county's school districts ability to come up with a good plan," Leslie Loe said. Loe has a 5th grader in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School system.

Test scores fell to levels not seen in two decades or more, according to the report.

National Assessment of Educational Progress reported every single state saw math or reading scores decline.

National math scores saw their largest decreases ever and reading scores fell back to 1992 levels.

In North Carolina, the average 4th grade math score dropped five points to the lowest level since 2000.

"I think there are a lot of kids that fell way through the cracks. It was a crisis that we have never had before. That we never had to deal with and people were scrambling. And unfortunately, our kids are bearing the brunt of that," Loe said.

The average 8th grade math score dropped ten points to the lowest level since 1996.

Loe said she's hoping the scores prompts action from school leaders to prepare for future incidents that could disrupt traditional schooling.

"Hopefully people will really look at this just in case a different virus or the same virus rears its head again. I don't think there was enough sharing between the educational systems on how to deal with this and what was key."

"I just think what needs to happen is researchers need to figure out what was best practice in this situation," she added.

This year was the first time the test was given since 2019.

Here's a look at Wake County Public Schools System (WCPSS) 2021-22 Testing and Accountability results. The information is not in response to Monday's national report, WCPSS said.