Why Are Student Test Scores Declining?
By Alexa Tuya
The future of the world relies on the children of today. Every new generation holds the key to a brighter future. These children will grow up to become the new great thinkers, with endless possibilities to improve our world.
One would think that kids should be developed into having brilliant minds so that we can guarantee their success. Nevertheless, in the last decade we’ve seen a rise in the less than favorable performance in academics of children from grades K-12. Following the rapid decline of test scores, parents, teachers, and others have all become more increasingly concerned.
According to a survey conducted by curriculum associates, as of spring 2026 only 56% of fourth graders are performing on grade level for mathematics. Before this, in 2016 around 70% of students were on grade level. This stark decline has only continued to escalate.
Researchers are suggesting that the educational system has set a low standard for these students. In an effort to boost graduation rates and make school more accessible, we have seen a trend in softening the curriculum. When we lower the bar for mastery we remove the challenge and rigor necessary to develop the proper critical thinking skills needed for success.
Furthermore, social media has also had a humongous impact on kids and teens because it has created an environment where they cannot focus on anything but the content being shown. Dr. Hansa Bhargav, a pediatrician and advocate states that social media is “ an immersive ecosystem designed to keep kids engaged as long as possible.”
The hypnotic state students are in due to technology has conditioned them to expect constant stimulation. Due to this the attention span averaging in today’s youth is extremely short. Now, young people truly only pay attention to what they are seeing online.
For example, Sophomore Joselyn Sandoval says “I have a younger brother, he’s in third grade and he can barely read but he knows literally everything about Five Nights At Freddies and Skibidi Toilet.”
Beyond the screen there is a growing issue of the chronic absence of engagement and stable mental health. Since the start of this decade, a record number of children have reported feeling overwhelmed and anxious. These feelings take a toll on their minds and can lead to profound burnout.
This mental health strain has caused a massive drop in engagement with many students no longer seeing a personal connection to learning or why it matters at all. When we “check out” emotionally it can be difficult to focus and absorb information.
Junior Megan Devrial, had this to say: “School is literally just feeling like it’s going from one test to the next without actually teaching me anything. School is just so emotionally and physically draining.”
In the decline of student performance this is not a random occurrence, but a result of a culture neglecting their youth. By watering down curriculums, and not assisting in the decline of the mental health of the youth, we are not providing them with the tools needed to have the best future possible.
