Kids' test scores began declining way before COVID. These schools are making gains

NPR education reporter Cory Turner reports that student test score declines in reading and math predate the COVID-19 pandemic by years, contrary to the widespread narrative that pandemic school closures alone caused learning losses, and notes that some states are now implementing interventions that show measurable improvement. The piece is sourced from a major national outlet with a named journalist known for education coverage, lending credibility to the reporting. Independent search results from AP, WRAL, and other outlets corroborate the pre-pandemic decline narrative and add context about contributing factors including chronic absenteeism, years of instructional drift, and ongoing efforts by states like North Carolina and Texas to align reading instruction with evidence-based practices; one result also flags that schools have cut recess time to prioritize test scores, suggesting potential trade-offs in intervention approaches. Watch for follow-up reporting on which specific state interventions prove most effective and whether enrollment declines in public schools (particularly among Latino students, per Texas Tribune) affect these recovery efforts.