NewMexicoKidsCAN News:

ALBUQUERQUE — This morning, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released results from the 2022 reading and mathematics assessments for 4th and 8th graders.

These are the first NAEP results since 2019, as the 2021 NAEP was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s results echo the concerns raised just months ago from the NAEP Long Term Trend Analysis. According to the data, New Mexico ranks no higher than 47th in any measure. 

The NAEP results released today reveal the following in New Mexico: 

• 4th grade reading proficiency: 21 percent;
• 4th grade mathematics proficiency: 19 percent;
• 8th grade reading proficiency: 18 percent; and
• 8th grade mathematics proficiency: 13 percent.

These results put New Mexico’s 4th grade math proficiency at its lowest point in 17 years (since 2005), and its 4th grade reading proficiency at its lowest point in 13 years (2009). Results for 8th grade follow similar trends with math proficiency hitting its lowest point in 30 years (since 1992) and reading at a 15 year low (2007).

The results confirm that this is an imperative time for education in the United States of America.

“Many New Mexicans have become far too comfortable with a bottom of the list ranking for education in our beautiful state. Today’s results sound an urgent call to action,” NewMexicoKidsCAN Executive Director Amanda Aragon said. “It is time for our leaders to take action rooted in one thing and one thing alone–the interests of New Mexico students.” 

In addition to national and state results, the National Assessment Governing Board also released results from Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA), which included results from Albuquerque Public Schools (APS). 27 urban school districts participate in the TUDA program, A primary goal of TUDA is to focus attention on urban K-12 education and academic achievement in urban districts.

The NAEP TUDA results today reveal the following for APS: 

• 4th grade reading proficiency: 25 percent;
• 4th grade mathematics proficiency: 24 percent;
• 8th grade reading proficiency: 21 percent; and
• 8th grade mathematics proficiency: 17 percent.

“The state of New Mexico’s education system impacts everyone from parents to community leaders, to legislators and teachers. Everyone is impacted by the system’s successes and failures,” Aragon said. “To create the change our system needs, every one of us should ask ourselves what we can do to ensure our students receive the education they deserve. We must come together and demand urgent action.” 

Additional NAEP analysis can be found here.