At least one expert was disappointed by Ohio’s performance in the National Assessment of Educational Progress report card. Aaron Churchill, Ohio research director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, called the report “disappointing.”

“Mirroring national trends, Ohio’s reading scores continue to be on an alarming slide,” he said. “Results from math are more positive — Ohio’s proficiency rating ticked upward in both grades — yet still remain well below pre-pandemic levels in eighth grade.”

Reading proficiency rates have declined in both tested grades — fourth and eighth — since 2017. Only fourth grade math proficiency has bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, while eighth grade math proficiency continues to stall.

Fordham Institute says its mission is promoting “educational excellence for every child in America via quality research, analysis and commentary, as well as advocacy and charter school authorizing in Ohio.”

But Churchill is correct that “far too many Ohio students are struggling to master core math and reading skills.” In fact, his ideas for improving those results are worth consideration by lawmakers.

“To give students a boost, state leaders need to put math and reading back at the center of our education debates,” he said. “Schools must ensure that students are in attendance, have their phones away and are ready to learn. Teachers should be using effective instructional methods, including those aligned to the science of reading. Parents should be able to track their own child’s progress and be empowered to help if he or she is falling behind.”

This will help the Buckeye State “break through this academic malaise,” Churchill said.

That’s just what Ohioans need to hear.