New York elementary students see sharp drop in reading test scores

State Education Department figures released this one outlet reveal that a majority of New York’s third- through fifth-grade students failed the 2025-26 English Language Arts assessments, with failure rates of 57%, 52% and 57% respectively. In New York City, scores for grades three to eight slipped 6% from last year, and overall proficiency for grades four to eight fell 5%, marking the largest decline since 2025 when 56% had passed.

Fifth-grade results dropped 14 points, the steepest among all grades. Critics such as Zilvinas Silenas of the Empire Center for Public Policy argue that higher per-pupil spending—about $37,000 statewide and $44,000 in the city—has not translated into better outcomes. The Department’s spokesperson JP O’Hare said the agency will investigate which student groups are most affected and allocate additional resources. Governor Kathy Hochul’s office highlighted a record $39.3 billion budget for 2026-27 aimed at improving literacy, while teachers’ leaders blamed recent curriculum changes and one-size-fits-all programs for the downturn.