The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress revealed that 12th-grade reading and math scores have fallen to their lowest levels since testing began in 1992. The declines are especially pronounced among struggling students, reflecting a widening achievement gap. Absenteeism is up, and only 35% of seniors met the college readiness benchmark in reading, down from 37% in 2019. The results come at a time of staffing cuts at the Institute for Education Sciences, adding uncertainty to future assessments and educational interventions.