Arizona 8th Graders Hit Historic Low in Reading Scores

By Staff Reporter |

Arizona’s eighth graders are facing significant academic challenges, achieving the lowest reading scores on record according to the Nation’s Report Card (NCR) 2024 Reading State Snapshot Report. The average reading score for eighth graders in Arizona has dropped to 254, marking a grim low point compared to decades of data.

Recent data highlights a troubling trend: while fourth graders had shown progress in math and reading in past years, their advancements were undone by declines as students transitioned to eighth grade. Currently, fourth graders have average reading scores of 208, with eighth graders reverting to historic levels as they hit scores that mirror those nearly 30 years ago.

In comparative terms, Arizona’s eighth graders are trailing behind 18 states or jurisdictions, with performance levels closely matching those of 28 other states. Notably, the state outperformed only five jurisdictions.

The NCR report uncovers significant achievement disparities among racial and economic lines. Black and Hispanic students average reading scores that fall 30 and 22 points behind their white counterparts, respectively. These gaps are consistent with data from decades prior, indicating a persistent issue. Male students scored 11 points below females, and economically disadvantaged students scored 21 points lower, reflecting trends that have not improved over time.

In mathematics, fourth graders maintain average scores of 232, whereas eighth graders score a mere 270, indicating a decline that aligns with national patterns. Arizona’s eighth grade math performance is also concerning, with average scores lower than those of 24 states, while being higher than just seven jurisdictions.

The NCR highlighted similar disparities in math scores between racial groups, noting both Black and Hispanic eighth graders had scores 32 points behind their white peers. Again, these figures mirror past decades without significant improvement. Additionally, economically disadvantaged students averaged 33 points lower in their math scores, a statistic that has remained relatively static over the years.

Comments from local education leaders reflect frustration about the current state of academic performance. Sandra Christensen, a board member with the Paradise Valley Unified School District, criticized the approach to governance in educational districts. “We can no longer afford to govern districts like we did 10 years ago,” she stated. “Our students deserve better! We MUST focus on academic excellence and student safety.”

The last collected science scores date back to 2015, and writing scores were last recorded in 2007, raising questions about ongoing assessment methods and accountability in Arizona’s education system.