70% of fourth graders aren’t reading proficiently, report finds—one of several areas where education is failing America’s kids

A report by the Anne E. Casey Foundation found that 70% of fourth graders and 73% of eighth graders in the U.S. lack reading and math proficiency, respectively, highlighting a decline in educational outcomes linked to the pandemic's long-term effects on learning. The study notes worsening childhood wellbeing across education, health, family and community, and economic domains, with schools failing to address learning gaps post-pandemic.