Gov. Jeb Bush responds to Florida NAEP scores

43rd Governor of Florida Foundation for Florida’s Future Chairman Jeb Bush issued the following statement in response to Florida’s scores on the 2023-24 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), otherwise known as the Nation’s Report Card

Florida students saw significant declines in national reading and math scores last year, continuing a post-pandemic downward trend, according to data released Wednesday. Eighth grade math scores hit a 20-year low, while their reading scores dropped to the lowest level in over 25 years. Fourth grade reading scores fell to their lowest point since 2003, and while fourth-grade math scores remained steady compared to 2022, they have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels. 

“For more than two decades, Florida has been a national leader in advancing student-centered policies that have resulted in our students consistently scoring at the top of the nation on the Nation’s Report Card. 

“But today’s results are disappointing. Not only have our rankings fallen in three out of four tested categories, but our actual student performance in all tested categories is lower than it has been in many years. In fact, our eighth graders are performing lower today in reading than before I took office in 1999. 

“But I remain an optimist because success is never final, and reform is never finished.  

“Policymakers must redouble their commitment to our students. Florida has earned a national reputation of consistent focus on educational excellence for each and every student. This work clearly is not done.  

“Now is the time for policymakers to act with a sense of urgency and advance meaningful policy solutions that provide a strong foundation for learning, support students and lead to rising academic achievement.” 

GET THE FACTS 

NAEP is the only assessment that provides uniform student performance data that can be compared across all states. 

Florida Grade 4 NAEP Reading scores decreased by 7 points from 225 in 2022 to 218 in 2024 but remained above the national public average of 214.  

• In 2024, Florida continues to lag pre-Covid performance by 6 points, 225 in 2019.  
• Florida ranks 10^th in grade 4 reading, down from 3^rd in 2022. 

Florida Grade 8 NAEP Reading scores decreased by 7 points from 260 in 2022 to 253 in 2024 and remains below the national public average.  

• In 2024, Florida continues to lag pre-Covid performance by 10 points, 263 in 2019.  
• Florida ranks 43^rd in grade 8 reading, down from 21^st in 2022. 

Florida Grade 4 NAEP Math scores increased by 3 points from 241 in 2022 to 243 in 2024 and remains a half grade level above the national public average.  

• In 2024, Florida continues to lag pre-Covid performance by 3 points, 246 in 2019. 
• Florida ranks 2^nd in grade 4 math, up from 4^th in 2022 

Florida Grade 8 NAEP Math scores decreased by 4 points from 271 in 2022 to 267 in 2024 and is below the national public average.  

• In 2024, Florida continues to lag pre-Covid performance by 11 points, 279 in 2019. 
• Florida ranks 41^st in grade 8 math, down from 32^nd in 2022 

WHAT POLICYMAKERS CAN DO  

• Reinstate dedicated reading funding to hire and expand deployment of district- and school-based reading coaches to support struggling readers and empower the Just Read, Florida! Office to:  
  • Ensure districts are deploying high quality curriculums that don’t include the harmful 3-cueing instructional practice is not included in the base curriculum, supplemental materials, teacher’s guides, parental supports, or other materials supporting literacy instruction. 
  • Ensure districts are only placing effective and highly effective teachers in Kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 , when it’s most important to make sure students have strong educators while they’re learning to read.  
• Increase how much math content teacher candidates are exposed to in educator prep programs and alternative certification routes. 
• Provide educators and district personnel with content, resources and training to support struggling readers in grades 4-12, including students enrolled through district career and technical education centers. 
• Invest in safe and appropriate AI-enabled technology to provide educators with real-time feedback and support loops. 
• Invest in and prioritize the adoption of high-quality instructional materials with rich content. 
• Eliminate digital distractions by furthering the state’s phone-free school requirements. 
• Further invest in the Schools of Hope program to attract high-impact charter operators with a track record of serving students in persistently low-performing schools.  
• Address the state’s chronic absenteeism rates by providing a consistent, statewide definition of chronic absenteeism along with better data tracking and incentives to focus districts on the issue.