Bold leadership and statewide solutions needed in the wake of lagging performance on NAEP 

EdTrust-Midwest called for bold leadership and statewide solutions after the newly-released 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, again showed Michigan lagging in performance nationally.  

According to an EdTrust-Midwest analysis of each state’s scale scores, Michigan’s rank declined when measured against other states in fourth grade reading, dropping to 44th from 43rd in 2022.  While fourth grade math scores improved, the state lost ground against other states in 8th grade math, falling to 31st in the nation, compared to 26th in 2022.   

“Michigan’s lagging performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress is proof positive that we need to act now to ensure our students have the resources and support for educational recovery and acceleration,” said Jennifer Mrozowski, senior director for external relations and strategic communications at EdTrust-Midwest. “This can’t wait.”

Only 25% of Michigan fourth graders were at or above proficient on the NAEP assessment in reading in 2024, down from 28% in 2022 and below the 30% deemed proficient nationally, according to State Snapshots. In 8th grade math, 24% students were at or above proficient, down from 25% in 2022 and below the national average of 27%.   

For students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the picture is even more troubling. Only 13% of Michigan’s 4th graders from economically disadvantaged backgrounds scored at or above proficient on the NAEP reading assessment in 2024, down from 16% in 2022 and below the national average of 19%. On the 8th grade math assessment, only 12% of Michigan students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds scored at or above proficient, down from 13% in 2022 and below the national average of 14%.

“Educational recovery will take bold state leadership and statewide solutions. That should start with fair and adequate school funding, especially for students with the greatest needs,” Mrozowski said. 

Laudably, state leaders made strides by placing the Opportunity Index in law in 2023, which drives greater funding to districts based on their concentration of poverty.  

“But our state did not go far enough,” Mrozowski said. “The Opportunity Index funding for students with the greatest needs is underfunded by $2 billion annually. State leaders should commit to fully funding the Opportunity Index so that Michigan’s students finally have the resources they need to achieve their full potential.  

“New investment should come with greater fiscal transparency and accountability, including systems to make sure that funding for students with the greatest needs reaches their schools.” 

EdTrust-Midwest renewed its call on state leaders to: 

• Provide immediate and ongoing support to districts and schools with evidence-based strategies to solve unfinished learning, including through targeted intensive tutoring and expanded learning time. 
• Fully fund the Opportunity Index, which is currently underfunded by about $2 billion annually. 
• Develop transparent, effective statewide systems to make sure new investments are being spent on strategies targeted at raising student achievement. 
• Invest effectively to retain and support exceptional educators and develop more impactful systems of improvement. Read more about recommendations to address Michigan’s educator shortage crisis here.