The 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results reveal concerning trends for U.S. students. Here are the key points:
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Declining Reading Scores: U.S. 15-year-olds experienced a 14-point drop in reading scores since 2022, equating to a loss of seven months of learning. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the seriousness of this decline.
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Math Performance Stability: While math performance remained stable compared to 2022, there was an earlier decline of 13 points during the previous assessment cycle, making it 18 points lower than scores from 2003.
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International Context: This drop aligned with a worldwide decline in reading and math, marking the lowest recorded averages in both subjects according to the OECD, which manages PISA.
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U.S. Ranking: The U.S. ranked 13th in reading and science and 27th in math among 91 global education systems, including 38 OECD member countries.
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Reading Performance: Despite the decline, U.S. students still outperformed the OECD average, scoring 490 compared to 461. However, there’s a concerning achievement gap, with significant disparities between top and bottom-performing students.
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Science Performance: The average science score of 502 remained stable compared to previous years, with a higher percentage of U.S. students performing at high levels compared to the OECD average.
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Impact of Technology and AI: Researchers suggest that increasing screen time and reliance on AI in education may contribute to declines in reading performance, with a shift noted from creative use of technology to passive consumption.
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Concern Over Achievement Gaps: The achievement gap in reading has widened significantly, with only 13% of students classified as high performers. This gap stands as the largest globally, raising concerns about equity in education.
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The Role of Educators and Technology: Experts warn that educational technologies should not replace effective teaching and parental support, as this could deepen existing disparities.
These findings stress the urgent need to address educational inequities and rethink how technology is integrated into learning.
