In 2023, the Nation’s Report Card delivered a sobering message: math achievement among U.S. students has reached a “historic” low.
According to the 2023 NAEP Long-Term Trend Assessment, average math scores for 13-year-olds fell from 280 in 2020 to 271 in 2023, a 9-point drop and the largest decline ever recorded since the assessment began in 1973.
This sharp downturn is not just a short-term concern; it signals deeper academic disruptions that, if left unaddressed, could limit students’ confidence, comprehension, and long-term opportunities in math and beyond.
In this guide, we will take an in-depth look at what is driving this national decline in math performance and explore the kinds of support that can help students stay on track.
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The decline in math performance across the U.S. is both significant and sustained, reaching across grade levels, regions, and even international comparisons.
Recent data from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) shows that math scores for 4th and 8th graders have declined by 18 and 27 points, respectively, between 2019 and 2023, setting U.S. performance levels back to where they were in the mid-1990s. This represents not just a short-term setback, but a substantial loss of decades of academic progress.
On the global stage, the gap is just as clear. As outlined in the same body of reporting, TIMSS ranked U.S. 4th grade students 22nd out of 63 education systems, and 8th graders 20th out of 45.
Meanwhile, the 2022 PISA assessment placed the U.S. 26th in math among developed countries, raising concerns about long-term competitiveness and workforce readiness.
What’s especially concerning is how the decline is unevenly distributed. A report shows that lower-performing students have experienced the sharpest declines, while their higher-performing peers have held steady or made modest gains.
This widening gap is particularly visible in middle school math, where students already behind are now falling even further back, deepening long-standing inequities in achievement.
Together, these patterns point to the importance of understanding what’s driving the trend and how we can better support students in building back their math confidence and skills.
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The significant drop in national math performance did not happen overnight. It is the result of multiple overlapping challenges that have affected how students learn, retain, and engage with math in and outside the classroom.
The National Center for Education Statistics called the COVID-19 pandemic the primary cause of the unprecedented declines in math and reading scores seen in the 2022 NAEP results.
School closures, remote learning, and inconsistent access to technology left many students without the structure and support they needed to stay on pace.
Math, a subject that often builds sequentially on prior knowledge, was particularly affected. When instruction was interrupted, critical concepts were either rushed or skipped entirely, creating gaps that have proven difficult to close.
As students returned to classrooms, it became clear that many had missed critical milestones in their math education. Foundational skills, such as place value, operations with fractions, or early algebraic thinking, were often underdeveloped or absent altogether.
Without these core building blocks, students often struggle to follow new material, connect concepts, or apply reasoning effectively. What should be opportunities for exploration become sources of confusion and frustration.
Many resort to guesswork or memorizing procedures without understanding the "why" behind them, which can mask deeper misconceptions and slow long-term growth.
Traditional classrooms often move at a set pace, with teachers managing a wide range of skill levels in groups of 20 to 30 students. In this setting, it’s challenging to give students the time and support they need to revisit missed concepts, ask meaningful questions, or approach material in a way that aligns with how they learn best.
Students who struggle may fall further behind, while those who grasp material quickly can lose interest. When instruction relies heavily on textbook-based work, repetition, or memorization, students across the board may disengage. These approaches, though easy to implement, have been linked in educational research to lower levels of student motivation and involvement.
Without personalized support or opportunities for active exploration, many students begin to disconnect from math, not because they lack ability, but because the structure of the classroom doesn’t allow them to learn in a way that works for them.
Math anxiety refers to a sense of tension, fear, or helplessness that interferes with a person’s ability to perform math tasks. It can manifest as avoidance, low confidence, or even physical discomfort, and it often begins as early as elementary school.
Studies in math education have identified this form of anxiety as a long-standing barrier to both learning and performance. One paper highlights its reach across all age groups, from young students to adults, noting its potential to persist throughout a learner’s academic and professional life.
While math anxiety isn’t new, the disruptions of recent years have likely made it more prevalent. When students return to class with unfinished learning and minimal time for individualized support, confusion often gives way to self-doubt.
In this environment, students may stop asking questions, disengage from lessons, or assume they’re simply not “math people.”
The result is a cycle that’s hard to break: the more students retreat from math, the more difficult it becomes to rebuild understanding and confidence. Without the right kind of intervention, math anxiety can silently undermine not just academic progress, but a student’s belief in their own potential.
Math anxiety is one of several factors quietly contributing to the nationwide decline in math performance.
As students continue to recover from interrupted learning and long-standing skill gaps, many families are turning to tutoring as a way to provide extra support.
Whether a student is struggling to keep up, feeling uncertain about core concepts, or lacking confidence in math, tutoring can offer a more focused learning environment and targeted reinforcement than the classroom alone can typically provide.
In the right setting, tutoring helps students revisit foundational skills, clarify confusing topics, and gain the confidence that comes from guided practice. It also creates space for questions that might go unasked in a busy classroom, allowing students to learn at a pace that suits them.
There are several common tutoring formats available to families, each with its own strengths depending on the student’s needs and learning style.
Private tutoring offers one-on-one support that can be adjusted to a student's needs. Tutors meet with students in person or online to provide focused explanations and flexible pacing.
This format is well-suited for students who need targeted help, whether they're preparing for a test, struggling with a specific topic, or looking for personalized guidance.
However, private tutoring may not always provide long-term structure or consistency. For students who need steady reinforcement or skill-building over time, a more comprehensive program may be a better fit.
Private tutors can offer one-on-one support with focused explanations and flexible pacing.
Online platforms and educational apps provide a flexible, self-guided way to practice math. Students can access video lessons, interactive exercises, and review materials anytime, making them a convenient supplement to classroom learning.
This format works well for independent, tech-savvy learners who are comfortable navigating material on their own and prefer learning at their own pace.
For students who need regular feedback, accountability, or deeper instruction, online tools may not offer enough support. Without live interaction, it’s easy to disengage or miss the reasoning behind the math.
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Math-only learning centers like Mathnasium specialize in helping students improve their math skills through subject-specific instruction. These programs focus exclusively on math and typically offer in-person support, either one-on-one or in small groups, guided by trained instructors.
The approach varies by center, but many provide structured guidance and a focused environment for math learning.
This format is a good fit for students who need consistent support to strengthen foundational skills, build confidence, or make steady progress over time. The math-only focus helps learners stay engaged and reinforces key concepts across a broad range of topics.
They may be less ideal for students seeking short-term help or quick fixes, such as assistance with a single assignment or test. For those who already feel confident in math and need only occasional support, a more flexible option may be sufficient.
Math-only centers like Mathnasium provide structured, in-person support that helps students build foundational skills, boost confidence, and stay engaged in math over time.
The challenges contributing to declining math performance, whether it’s skill gaps, disengagement, or anxiety, require more than short-term fixes. Addressing them effectively means providing students with consistent support, personalized instruction, and a clear path to progress.
This is where Mathnasium can help. As a math-only learning center, Mathnasium offers a focused environment built specifically to support students at all levels. What sets us apart is our proprietary teaching approach, the Mathnasium Method™, designed to build math mastery through individualized instruction, conceptual understanding, and lasting confidence.
The Mathnasium Method™ addresses key learning needs through three core elements:
Each student begins their Mathnasium enrollment with a comprehensive assessment, which helps identify their knowledge gaps and areas of strength. This insight allows us to understand each student’s starting point and develop a personalized learning plan.
Following the assessment, each student receives a learning plan tailored to their specific needs and learning style. This personalized path allows them to leverage their strengths, target their knowledge gaps, and work toward mastery at a pace that’s right for them.
Mathnasium’s specially trained instructors focus on teaching for understanding, not memorization. Through engaging methods and ongoing support, students develop deeper comprehension, along with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that extend beyond school and into life.
Hear from Larry Martinek, the creator of the Mathnasium Method™, as he explains how this approach transforms the way children learn and understand math.
The results of the Mathnasium Method™ speak for themselves:
With over 1,100 learning centers nationwide, Mathnasium brings its proven approach to communities across the country.
For families in and around Frisco, TX, Mathnasium of Frisco East offers this structured, math-focused learning experience close to home, helping students build skills, confidence, and momentum in math.
Ready to help your child thrive in math?
Schedule a free assessment at Mathnasium of Frisco East and take the first step toward lasting success.
Mathnasium of Frisco East is a math-only learning center for K-12 students in Frisco, TX. Trusted by over a million parents, Mathnasium uses personalized learning plans and the proprietary Mathnasium Method™ to help students catch up, keep up, and get ahead on their math journey.
Our specially trained tutors deliver face-to-face instruction in a supportive and fun small-group environment, working with students both in center and online to develop a deep understanding of math, build confidence, and improve academic performance.
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