Pandemic's Impact Lingers on Young Students' Reading Scores

First and second graders continue to lag behind pre-pandemic peers in reading, though math scores are slowly recovering.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A new report from NWEA shows that while math scores for first and second graders have inched up since the pandemic, reading scores remain stagnant and behind pre-COVID levels. Researchers say the academic disruption is not solely due to instructional changes, but broader societal shifts that have impacted young children's literacy development, such as fewer parents reading to their kids. Some school districts are focusing on phonics and regular literacy assessments to help students catch up, but experts say factors outside of school, like reduced access to enriching experiences, continue to hamper early reading skills.

Why it matters

The lasting impact of the pandemic on young students' academic performance, especially in reading, raises concerns about potential long-term effects on educational outcomes and equity. As schools work to help students recover, understanding the complex factors at play is crucial to developing effective interventions.

The details

The NWEA report found that while kindergarten math and science scores remained roughly the same throughout the pandemic, first and second graders are still performing worse than their pre-pandemic peers on both math and reading tests. While math scores are slowly improving, reading scores have flatlined since spring 2021. Researchers point to emerging data showing a decline in parents regularly reading to young children, which is known to boost literacy. School districts like Minnetonka Public Schools are focusing on phonics instruction and regular literacy assessments to help students catch up, but factors outside of school, such as reduced access to enriching experiences during the pandemic, continue to hamper early reading development, especially for low-income students.

  • The NWEA report is based on assessments given to students in the 2024-25 school year.
  • In 2024, reading scores for fourth- and eighth-graders continued a downward slide according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, while math scores trended upward.

The players

NWEA

An education assessment and research group that published the report on the pandemic's impact on young students' academic performance.

Megan Kuhfeld

A researcher at NWEA who noted that the academic slump is not rooted solely in instructional disruption, but broader societal shifts.

Minnetonka Public Schools

A school district outside Minneapolis that has focused on phonics instruction and regular literacy assessments to help students recover reading skills lost during the pandemic.

Amy LaDue

The associate superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools, who believes young children's limited access to enriching experiences outside the home during the pandemic has continued to hamper their literacy development.

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What they’re saying

“We can't pinpoint one specific cause.”

— Megan Kuhfeld, Researcher, NWEA (wbal.com)

“These kids weren't in school when the pandemic happened, but (some) were … in early childhood and preschool. Their opportunities … to have those experiences outside of their home that build literacy skills and to apply them with peers probably were impacted because they were home.”

— Amy LaDue, Associate Superintendent, Minnetonka Public Schools (wbal.com)

What’s next

Some states and cities are investing in pre-kindergarten programs to help children develop early literacy skills, with California introducing universal pre-kindergarten and New York City expanding its pre-K program to 2-year-olds.

The takeaway

The lasting impact of the pandemic on young students' reading scores underscores the need for comprehensive, multi-faceted approaches to address the complex factors, both in and out of school, that have contributed to this educational challenge. Targeted interventions and increased access to early learning opportunities will be crucial to helping these students recover and get back on track.