NAEP Underscores Urgent Push For Early Math Literacy

Press Release:

Center for Family Math calls on educators, policymakers and families to prioritize early math education following alarming national test results.

Alexandria, Va. – January 30, 2025 – The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, released yesterday by the National Center for Education Statistics, highlight a continued trend of concerning achievement gaps in math proficiency. With fewer than half of U.S. 4th and 8th graders meeting proficiency standards, the report reveals widening disparities in math performance between low- and high-performing students. The findings underscore a critical need to prioritize early math education and strengthen family engagement in fostering math literacy.

“Math scores have been consistently underperforming, and this stark reality demands immediate action,” said Dr. Holly Kreider, Director of the Center for Family Math. “We urge policymakers, educators, and families to integrate math into early literacy programs and support initiatives that foster math skills starting as early as preschool. Just as we prioritize reading, we must equally emphasize the importance of math as foundational to success in school and life.”

Research has long shown that children who develop strong math skills at an early age are more likely to achieve academic success and secure higher-paying jobs as adults. However, math anxiety affects 20 to 30 percent of the U.S. population—often passed down from parents to children, creating a cycle that undermines progress.

“We should be encouraging our young children to count, solve problems, and understand patterns to harness the fun and joy of math. Research shows that early math skills predict later academic achievement in both math and reading.” added Kreider. “Seeing the world through a math lens should be second nature and is a practice that can set up our young children, students, and nation for success.” 

As part of its mission to advance family engagement in math learning, the Center for Family Math provides a wide range of resources to support families, educators, and communities. These include webinars, toolkits, and research-driven strategies for engaging in everyday math at home. The Center also leads a national alliance of education leaders and advocates focused on strengthening family math practices and ensuring all children have the tools they need to succeed.

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About: The Center for Family Math is committed to advancing research, policies, practices, partnerships, and systems that inspire, harness, and amplify the power and love of math through family and community engagement. As an extension of the National Association for Family and School Community Engagement (NAFSCE), the Center for Family Math is committed to advancing family math practices that support families from all backgrounds. 

Fore more information about the Center for Family Math visit www.familymath.org