Standardized testing has long been a cornerstone of our educational system, serving as a critical tool for assessing student learning, guiding instructional decisions and informing policy. These assessments provide valuable insights into students’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as measure progress over time, ultimately ensuring accountability and identifying areas for improvement.
However, recent data from the National Assessment for Educational Progress reveals a concerning trend: U.S. students’ performance on standardized tests has reached historic lows. In 2024, 12th-grade reading and math scores fell to their lowest levels in over two decades, with only 35% of students achieving proficiency in reading and 22% in math.
This decline is not limited to high school seniors: Eighth-grade science scores also saw significant drops, with 38% of eighth graders scoring below basic proficiency.
These results underscore the urgent need for us to rethink the way we prepare both our students and teachers for standardized testing. Traditional approaches are no longer enough— we need strategies that strengthen foundational skills, build confidence, and teach students how to think critically about what the test is really asking.
Here are three ways our district has made serious gains in closing achievement gaps and improving performance on standardized tests:
1. Identify and Close Skill Gaps Early
Looking at our students’ math performance, it was clear we had an achievement gap that needed urgent attention. Many of our students were coming from elementary schools without a strong foundation in basic skills, and before we could tackle grade-level content, we had to close those gaps.
To address this, we engaged caregivers and created a weekend math academy where students who needed extra support could come in and get focused, hands-on instruction. On top of that, we implemented targeted one-on-one math interventions during the week for students who required extra help beyond their regular classes.
By focusing on foundational skills first and providing students with multiple opportunities to practice and reinforce their learning, we began to see them gain confidence and start approaching grade-level work with competence.
2. Partner with the right strategic platform
After we closed our initial achievement gaps, I noticed something interesting: teachers were working tirelessly and our students were performing well in class, and yet the test scores still didn’t accurately represent the learning that was happening every day. It became clear that knowing the content wasn’t enough—students also needed support in understanding the academic language of the test, evaluating different answer choices and applying reasoning under pressure.
To address this, we introduced solutions and routines geared toward helping students sharpen the strategic thinking skills necessary to interpret academic language, evaluate options and apply reasoning. As these practices became part of everyday instruction, students became more confident test takers, teachers could adjust instruction on the spot, and classroom learning finally started translating into measurable growth on standardized tests.
3. Critical thinking that counts
True rigor in test prep isn’t about overwhelming students with more work, it’s about sharpening their ability to think critically and strategically under pressure. In practice, rigor means moving beyond memorization to ensure students understand the “why” behind concepts, can solve complex problems and apply knowledge in unfamiliar contexts.
It also means encouraging students to reflect on their mistakes, identify patterns in their thinking and develop strategies for tackling challenging questions. When combined with targeted support and intentional instruction, strategic learning strengthens both foundational skills and reasoning, equipping students to approach standardized tests with confidence.
Improving standardized test performance is about more than just raising scores. It’s about ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed, gain confidence and demonstrate what they truly know.
By employing these initiatives in our district, we have seen measurable improvements across grade levels. District-wide, the number of students meeting or exceeding math goals on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress increased from 20% in 2023 to 29% in 2025, and in English language arts from 39% to 50% over the same period.
Among eighth graders, the growth was even more striking—ELA proficiency jumped from 27% to 49%.
As educators, we must continue to innovate, adapt and focus on approaches that reflect the full scope of student learning. Standardized tests will always be a part of the educational landscape, and with the right combination of support, strategy and collaboration, schools can ensure that these test scores become a true reflection of students’ knowledge, skills and potential.
