Tale of Two Test Scores: NAEP & MAP
Missouri Test Scores: Why Two Tests Tell Different Stories
Every two years, Missouri students take two major assessments to gauge academic progress: the state’s MAP test and the national NAEP test, known as “The Nation’s Report Card.” Both measure performance in reading and math—but in 2024, they paint very different pictures of post-pandemic learning loss.
Where They Agree: Learning Loss Is Real
Both tests confirm that Missouri students are struggling more now than before COVID-19. Scores are down in reading and math across the board. But just how far students have fallen depends on which test you trust.
NAEP Results: Alarming Declines
NAEP, which tests a representative sample of Missouri 4th and 8th graders, shows sharp declines since 2019. For example, 8th-grade math scores dropped by 9 points, one of the largest declines in the country. In reading, only 60% of 4th graders scored at or above the Basic level, down from 67% before the pandemic. These are not minor dips—they reflect significant and ongoing academic challenges.
MAP Results: A Milder Picture
Missouri’s own MAP test tells a less dire story. While scores also declined, the drops were smaller. In 8th-grade math, for instance, the percentage of students scoring Proficient or Advanced only fell from 30% in 2019 to 28% in 2024—a relatively small change compared to NAEP’s figures. In reading, some grades even showed slight improvements.
Why the Discrepancy?
Experts point to several possible reasons. NAEP and MAP may measure different skills—NAEP emphasizes reading comprehension, while MAP includes broader English Language Arts standards. There are also differences in test design, scoring methods, and student samples: NAEP tests a randomized group, while MAP includes nearly all Missouri public school students.
Why It Matters
If NAEP’s data is more accurate, Missouri’s students may be further behind than MAP suggests—especially in middle school math and reading. That would call for urgent, system-wide interventions. If MAP is right, recovery is underway but uneven. Either way, declining scores demand attention.