The latest data from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the Nation's Report Card, shows a notable upward trend for DC's public schools, setting them apart from the national stagnation observed in other regions. As reported by the Office of the Mayor and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), scores in the District's public schools either stayed consistent or improved across the board: fourth-grade reading, fourth-grade math, eighth-grade reading, and eighth-grade math. This outcome defies the national trends where performance, for most parts, either dropped or plateaued.
The NAEP results depict a city grappling with the pressure to revive its educational system in the post-pandemic era. In a notable achievement, celebrating the diligence of its students and educators, District fourth-graders tied with Delaware for the top spot in math improvements nationwide. According to the Office of the Mayor, such accomplishments are a testament to the "strong programs and world class educators" that DC houses.
Despite many students moving from 'Below Basic' to 'Basic' and further into 'Proficient' and 'Advanced' levels, gaps remain, especially among racial lines and economic disparities. Yet, a notable accomplishment was seen as Hispanic/Latino fourth graders in DC outshined their peers on a national level in reading. The relentless commitment by the city in infusing nearly $40 million in high-impact tutoring over four years became clear in the face of these educational headwinds, and an additional $7 million earmarked for the 2024-25 school year — which will serve 6,000 students across 90 DCPS and public charter schools, according to the Office of the Mayor.
