Positive Trends: For the second consecutive year, MAP Math test results exceed pre-pandemic levels. Reading results, following national trends, are more worrisome. 

Written By SLU PRiME

By: Abigail Medler, MPA and Courtney Vahle, Ed.D.

Key Points:

  • From 2021 to 2025, math test scores increased in every single grade that took the test (third through eighth), and all middle school grades (sixth, seventh, and eighth) saw an overall increase relative to pre-pandemic levels.

  • In 2025, fifth and sixth graders scored higher in English Language Arts (ELA) than they did in 2024, but third, fourth, seventh, and eighth grades saw ELA scores decrease or flatline in the same period.

  • Students nationally are facing a literacy crisis, and the students in Missouri are no exception. Average ELA scale scores in all grades have remained at the “basic” proficiency level since 2018.

  • In 2025 less than one third of students receiving Free and Reduced-Price Lunch (FRL) and about one quarter of students eligible for Direct Certification scored proficient or advanced in Math or ELA. Notably, however, FRL Math proficiency is up seven percentage points from 2021.

  • In 2018, ELA proficiency rates were higher than Math proficiency rates but by 2025, they are about the same. This reflects a minor upward trend in overall math proficiency but a steady decline in ELA proficiency.

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Please Cite As: Medler, A., Vahle, C. (2026, February). Positive Trends: For the second consecutive year, MAP Math test results exceed pre-pandemic levels. Reading results, following national trends, are more worrisome. Policy Research in Missouri Education, 8(1). Saint Louis University. https://www.primecenter.org/policy-brief-database/map-report

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