NYC reading scores sink, with third grade proficiency falling 14 points

New York City's third grade reading scores declined by 14 percentage points last school year, according to preliminary data released on Friday. Among students in grades 3-8, roughly half were proficient in reading, a 6 percentage point decrease. This marks the second consecutive year of declines, following a 7 percentage point increase the previous year.

Math scores remained flat, with 57% of students deemed proficient. The steepest drops in reading proficiency were observed in grades 3-5, with fourth graders seeing a 6 percentage point decline and fifth graders a 13 point drop. This drastic decrease comes as the city embarks on its fourth year of a major overhaul in literacy instruction.

All elementary schools are now mandated to use approved curriculums aligned with the science of reading, while many middle schools are also transitioning to new reading programs. City officials stated they would analyze the sudden fluctuations in reading scores, with Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels expressing concern over the dramatic disparities in literacy proficiency.

City officials noted that state test scores differed from the city's own periodic assessments, which generally showed improvements in reading. While test scores alone can't determine a policy's effectiveness due to various influencing factors, officials pointed to a significant 7 percentage point increase last year as evidence the new reading programs were working.

The reading declines align with a similar 5 percentage point drop across the state. Some testing experts have suggested the fluctuating scores are unusual, raising questions about possible exam irregularities. EdTrust-New York, an advocacy group, called for an independent audit of the past three years of state testing data, stating that last year's dramatic gains were never adequately investigated or explained, making this year's reversal hard to interpret.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has pledged to continue and expand the literacy and math curriculum reforms initiated by his predecessor, including expanding the math curriculum to elementary schools. This story is ongoing; further updates will be provided.