Twelfth graders saw a three-point fall in average math and reading scores, compared to results from 2019. Those who watch education closely describe themselves as tired, exasperated and even depressed from watching a decade’s worth of student performance declines. She argues there has also been a decline in the desire to push schools to be accountable for poor student performance, and an inability to adapt. The results continue a decade-long decline in student performance, says Christy Hovanetz, a senior policy fellow for the nonprofit ExcelinEd. Worse, some are lowering the standards to meet poor student performance, she argues.