Given every two years to a sample of America’s children, the National Assessment of Educational Progress is considered one of the best gauges of the academic progress of the U.S. school system. The most recent exam was administered in early 2024 in every state, testing fourth- and eighth-grade students on math and reading.

Baltimore City students are performing below average in math and reading compared to other students in large cities, according to the latest national test results.

As scores on a national test of math and reading continued a downward slide, South Carolina students held steady, improved or at least declined at a slower rate.