Iowa math scores drop as Kentucky leads academic recovery, national data shows

New national data reveals a stark contrast in academic recovery across the United States, with Iowa experiencing the largest decline in math scores while Kentucky posts some of the strongest gains in both reading and mathematics. The findings highlight a growing divide in how states are recovering from pandemic-era learning losses, raising questions about policy choices and educational priorities.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores, analyzed in the Education Recovery Scorecard from Harvard and Stanford universities, show that math achievement has rebounded broadly since 2022. However, reading remains a persistent challenge nationwide, with only a handful of states posting improvements.

Iowa saw the steepest drop in math performance between 2022 and 2025, losing 0.212 grade levels. Nebraska fell by 0.188, while Wyoming, Idaho, and Georgia also recorded small decreases. In contrast, Kentucky rose by 0.328 grade levels in math, ranking eighth among states for growth. Kentucky also ranked fifth in reading growth, gaining 0.119 grade levels.

Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher credited the state's investment in literacy coaches and changes to reading instruction for the improvement. 'Very few states have had the amount of growth that we have,' Fletcher told FOX 56 News. 'It's very important to emphasize that to our teachers, and we thank our teachers for the work that they put in.'

Why is reading recovery lagging behind math?

The Education Recovery Scorecard found that reading performance began declining before the COVID-19 pandemic, with national gains stalling around 2013 to 2015. The pandemic compounded an existing problem rather than creating it outright. Between 2024 and 2025, average reading achievement improved only slightly, by about 0.03 grade levels, after several years of declines of roughly one-tenth of a grade level annually.

Eighth-grade NAEP reading performance has fallen to its lowest level since 1990, while fourth-grade results have returned to levels last seen before 2003. Only eight of 35 jurisdictions with comparable reading data improved between 2022 and 2025.

Dr. Elizabeth Adams, a clinical child psychologist and co-founder of Ello, explained that reading development depends heavily on what happens outside the classroom. 'Math is learned almost entirely at school. Reading is different. It depends enormously on what happens outside the classroom: whether a child reads at home, whether reading is part of family life, whether a child actually enjoys it,' Adams said.

She added that reading problems are cumulative. 'Comprehension rests on vocabulary and background knowledge built up over years, so a shaky foundation in kindergarten through second grade shows up later as a comprehension problem in fourth grade and beyond.'

What policy changes are driving academic gains?

States that improved in reading between 2022 and 2025 were implementing comprehensive early-literacy reforms, according to Adams. 'Recovery has followed policy choices more than demographics,' she said. 'Every state that improved in reading between 2022 and 2025 was implementing evidence-based instruction, teacher training, screening, coaching. States that passed on those reforms mostly kept declining, including some historically high-performing ones.'

Louisiana, which had the second-largest reading gain, requires foundational literacy instruction in early grades, literacy screening, interventions for struggling pupils, and professional development for teachers. Tennessee introduced the Literacy Success Act and its Reading 360 initiative, combining universal screening and reading interventions with extensive teacher training.

Kentucky's 2022 Read to Succeed Act introduced screening, evidence-based reading instruction, and provisions for teacher academies and coaching. Adams cautioned that passing a law is only the first step. 'Several states adopted similar reforms and have not improved yet, which tells you implementation and follow-through matter more than the legislation itself.'

What does this mean for Iowa families and policymakers?

For Iowa, the data raises urgent questions about the state's approach to education. The 0.212 grade-level decline in math between 2022 and 2025 is the largest among all states and jurisdictions with available data. Nebraska, a neighboring state, also saw significant losses.

Iowa's reading performance was not included in the comparable data set for 2022 to 2025, leaving a gap in understanding the state's full academic picture. However, the broader national trend shows that reading recovery remains slow even in states that have implemented reforms.

Parents and community members concerned about academic progress should look to the examples set by Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee. These states have prioritized evidence-based instruction, teacher training, and early intervention programs. The data suggests that policy choices, not demographics, are the key driver of academic recovery.

As Iowa lawmakers consider education policy, the message from the data is clear: states that invest in comprehensive literacy and math reforms see results. Those that do not risk falling further behind.

FAQ: What Iowa readers should know about the NAEP scores

How did Iowa perform compared to other states?

Iowa had the largest decline in math scores among all states with available data, losing 0.212 grade levels between 2022 and 2025. Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Georgia also recorded small decreases. Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Delaware posted the strongest gains.

Why is reading recovery so slow across the country?

Reading performance began declining before the pandemic, with national gains stalling around 2013 to 2015. The pandemic compounded an existing problem. Reading development also depends heavily on factors outside the classroom, such as whether children read at home and have access to vocabulary-building experiences.

What policies are helping states like Kentucky improve?

Kentucky's Read to Succeed Act introduced screening, evidence-based reading instruction, and teacher academies and coaching. Louisiana and Tennessee passed similar comprehensive early-literacy reforms. Experts say implementation and follow-through are more important than the legislation itself.

What can Iowa parents do to support their children's learning?

Parents can encourage reading at home, engage with their child's school about literacy and math programs, and advocate for evidence-based instruction and teacher training. The data shows that policy choices at the state level have a direct impact on academic outcomes.

Photo: Newsweek