The national decline in test scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the nation’s report card, coincides with more states expanding their “school choice” options.
In several states where school choice efforts have pumped taxpayer dollars into private schools, the national test scores are declining. Here in Mississippi, where leaders this year are considering similar initiatives that would send more public funding to private schools, most of our national test scores at public schools are improving.
Is it possible the proliferation of private school options and the drop in test scores for students in grades 4-8 might be related? This theory is worth considering and studying, especially as sweeping changes are being considered in Mississippi this legislative session.
Media reports this week show that President Donald Trump is preparing another one of his multiple executive orders — this one encouraging states to further expand their school choice or voucher options.
According to EdChoice, Florida is one of the leading states in providing school choice options. EdChoice says Florida ranks No. 1 in terms of the percentage of overall kindergarten through 12th grade funding going to private school choice programs at 10.12%.
Yet a headline in the Florida press this week as the most recent 2024 NAEP scores were released proclaims: “Florida’s reading, math scores fall to lowest mark in more than 20 years.”
Many other states that ranked high in terms of the level of state education funding going to private schools faced similar setbacks on the national test. In Arizona, No. 2 on EdChoice’s rankings, a headline after the test results were released this week reads: “Arizona’s reading scores fall in nationwide assessment.” In neighboring Arkansas, No. 8 in the EdChoice analysis, a headline reads, “New NAEP scores dash hope of post-COVID learning recovery.”
Granted, not all states with expansive programs for private school choice options suffered similar fates in this year’s test results.
Wisconsin, for instance, No. 3 on EdChoice’s list, was one of the few states to post improved NAEP scores.
Interestingly, another one of the states to record NAEP gains was Mississippi. According to EdChoice, Mississippi ranks No. 27 in the percentage of its kindergarten through 12th grade funding going to private school programs at .10%.
With a relatively low percentage of public funds flowing to private schools, Mississippi scored ninth nationally in fourth grade reading scores and 13th in fourth grade math scores. Mississippi was No. 1 over time (from 2013 to 2024) for fourth grade reading and math improvements. And Mississippi’s minority and economically disadvantaged students performed exceptionally well compared to their peers in other states.
It should be pointed out that Mississippi’s eighth grade scores were not as impressive. While an above-the-national average 32% of Mississippi fourth graders achieved at or above the NAEP proficient level in reading, only 23% of students reached the proficient level by eighth grade, showing no significant change from the 2022 test.
But eight states, including Florida and four others that spend a much greater percentage of their education budget on private schools than Mississippi, saw declines in eighth grade scores.
There is reason to be bullish about Mississippi’s gains, but officials should not fail to recognize the state still has a long way to go to ensure all children are receiving the proper education opportunities. As Mississippi makes improvements on national testing compared to other states, there are efforts in the Legislature to expand Mississippi’s private school choice options. Many, including Gov. Tate Reeves and House Speaker Jason White, contend the state should be spending more funds on private school options.
Granted, there could be multiple factors leading to the national decline in NAEP scores. Without question, more study is needed to ascertain whether the drop in NAEP scores is related to the explosion in private choice or voucher options.
But the possible correlation should at least be considered and researched thoroughly by state leaders as they mull the drastic change of sending more public funds to private schools.
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