12th-Grade Math and Reading Scores Hit Record Lows - What That Means for the Future of Learning
The U.S. Department of Education released new data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The results are alarming: 12th-grade students in the U.S. just recorded their lowest scores ever in both reading and math. Declines, which began well before the pandemic, are deepening and reflect a troubling reality that has profound implications for college readiness, workforce preparedness, and the overall intellectual trajectory of the next generation.
The Wall Street Journal analyzed the NAEP data:
Just 22% of high school seniors are proficient in math.
Only 35% are proficient in reading.
Fewer students are even achieving a basic level of competency.
This isn’t just a temporary slump caused by pandemic-era school closures. It’s a multi-year academic regression — one that now stretches from early childhood to high school graduation.
“Students are taking their next steps in life with fewer skills and less knowledge in core academics than their predecessors a decade ago,”
— Lesley Muldoon, Executive Director, NAEP Governing Board
Why Are Scores Falling?
While COVID disruptions certainly played a role, they don’t tell the whole story. Researchers and educators point to a host of contributing factors:
Rising high school graduation rates may mean more lower-performing students are taking standardized assessments.
Increased screen time, driven by smartphones and social media, is likely eroding focus, comprehension, and cognitive stamina.
Teacher turnover, chronic absenteeism, and inconsistent instruction have further weakened the learning environment.
Behavioral challenges and a lack of executive functioning skills are more common than ever.
Still, none of these fully explain the consistent, nationwide decline. And that brings us to a more foundational problem — one that’s not new, but strikingly urgent.
From Genius to Average: What We Lost When Tutoring Became a Luxury
The NAEP data raises a critical question: In a world overflowing with information, why are students learning less?
Neuroscientist and author Erik Hoel addresses this paradox in two powerful essays — “I Taught My Three-Year-Old to Read” and “Why We Stopped Making Einsteins.” His thesis is simple but profound:
We no longer produce world-changing intellectuals because we abandoned the educational system that created them: one-on-one tutoring.
For centuries, the best minds — Marcus Aurelius, Ada Lovelace, Bertrand Russell, John Stuart Mill, Albert Einstein — were educated not in large classrooms but by individual tutors, often from early childhood. This “aristocratic tutoring,” as Hoel calls it, was immersive, personalized, and intellectually rich.
Hoel cites Bloom’s 2 Sigma Problem, a landmark study showing that students who received one-on-one tutoring performed two standard deviations better than those in traditional classrooms — placing the average tutored student above 98% of his or her peers.
But today, tutoring is typically framed this way:
It’s limited to test prep (SAT, ACT, APs)
used as a remedial intervention
Financially accessible only to a narrow slice of the population
“We don’t make Einsteins anymore because we don’t make Max Talmuds anymore.”
— Erik Hoel
(Max Talmud was Einstein’s childhood tutor, who introduced him to Euclid and Spinoza at age 12.)
According to Hoel, what drives intellectual development isn’t access to information — but rather it’s engagement. And engagement is a social and intellectual phenomenon. Children need more than exposure to ideas; they need relationships with adults who model curiosity, rigor, and serious thinking.
The Case for Modern-Day “Aristocratic” Tutoring — Without the Aristocracy
At Score At The Top, we’ve long championed the same educational values that Hoel highlights, and we bring them alive in ways that are accessible to families across a wide range of academic needs and goals. Our approach to tutoring is built on these key elements:
Individualized instruction tailored to the student’s learning style, pace, and personality
Mentorship that fosters confidence, motivation, and executive function
Deep subject-matter expertise across K–12, AP, and college-level courses
College admissions guidance that helps students authentically stand out
Whether a student is struggling with reading, or aiming for a top ACT score, or hoping to gain admission to a competitive college, we provide the kind of focused, strategic support that simply isn’t possible in most traditional classrooms.
Tutoring shouldn’t be a last resort, and it shouldn't be reserved for test day. It should be seen for what it truly is: the most powerful, research-backed educational method available.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
In an era when 12th graders are struggling to perform basic math and reading tasks, we can’t afford to delay intervention. And we certainly can’t rely on mass education alone to reverse this trend.
Early reading instruction, as Hoel showed with his own son, can be life-changing, and joyful.
Middle and high school tutoring can prevent students from falling through the cracks.
College planning should start early and be individualized, not one-size-fits-all.
Our educational system may be mass produced. But your child’s learning journey shouldn’t be.
Take Action — Reclaim What Works
The NAEP scores tell us that waiting for systemic change is not a viable strategy. But as Hoel, Bloom, and generations of intellectuals have shown, there is a path forward — and it's personalized.
Let us help you take the next step. Whether your child needs foundational support, enrichment, or guidance on the road to college, Score At The Top offers expert, empathetic educators, personalized planning, and a proven track record of success.
Learn more at www.scoreatthetop.com or contact us to schedule a consultation today.
