Federal Data: School Leaders Say 40 Percent of Students Are Behind Grade Level

The Center Square (Brendan Clarey), The Star News Network

According to a federal survey of school leaders, 40% of students in the nation’s public

schools were behind grade level in one or more subjects at the beginning of the school year. The National Center for Education Statistics announced its findings that the percentage of students school leaders estimated to be behind where they should be was down 7% from the 2022-23 school year but still 8% higher than before the pandemic. NCES data shows students are farther behind than before state and local governments closed schools.