The Report Card with Nat Malkus 2025 in Review
Dec 30, 2025
Sarah Mervosh, an education reporter at The New York Times, covers K-12 policy, while Eric Kelderman focuses on higher education for The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Jill Barshay reports for The Hechinger Report, emphasizing student learning. They delve into the Trump administration’s impact on education, alarming declines in reading, and rising absenteeism. They analyze cuts to education funding and discuss the looming challenges of graduation rates and FAFSA processing, highlighting crucial under-reported stories affecting schools.
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Comprehension And Math Remain Unsolved
- Reading comprehension and math performance remain unresolved national problems despite phonics gains.
- Schools struggle to improve comprehension and international math rankings continue to lag.
NAEP Declines Defy Expectations
- NAEP declines from 2022–2024 puzzled reporters because pandemic recovery funds did not reverse drops.
- Low performers' decade-long declines predate the pandemic and remain a major mystery.
Prioritize Watching Student Aid Systems
- Monitor FAFSA and student aid operations closely during department upheaval.
- Prioritize tracking FAFSA functionality and Office for Civil Rights backlogs to spot major disruptions.