South Michigan News

Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) responded to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, which show significant declines in student achievement across math, science, and reading.

“Today’s NAEP scores continue to show a devastating decline in math, science, and reading scores. Low academic skills don’t just hurt grades, they weaken our economy, workforce, and national security. Without strong foundations in these core subjects, America’s freedom and economic competitiveness will be in jeopardy.

“Yet, for years, the Biden-Harris administration implemented an unworkable one-size-fits-all regime that expanded federal bureaucrats’ control. In fact, prolonged school closures, driven by teachers unions and Democrats, caused catastrophic damage to students’ educational outcomes and success. We continue to see the results of these student-last policies.

“Today’s NAEP scores are a tragic reminder of what happens when we fail to put students first. Now, Republicans and the Trump administration are prioritizing students—working to ensure every child gains the skills essential to be successful. This is crucial to America’s success.”

Recent data shows that high school seniors' average reading score has dropped 10 points since 1992. In 2024, grade 12 reading and math scores at nearly all percentiles were lower than those recorded in 2019. The gap between top- and bottom-performing eighth-grade science students reached its widest point on record; average scores declined for all measured groups compared with previous years. Both disadvantaged and not disadvantaged students saw lower test results than before.

Tim Walberg currently serves as Michigan's representative for the 5th district in Congress after replacing Mark Schauer in 2011. He previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1983 to 1999 and holds a BA from Taylor University. Born in Chicago in 1951, Walberg now lives in Tipton.