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California’s latest state data show modest improvement in math, English language arts and science scores, following stronger academic rebounds after pandemic disruptions. Statewide enrollment fell to 5.7 million, while graduation-rate figures varied depending on whether two high-enrollment, low-graduation schools were included.
California students’ test scores rose modestly across math, English language arts and science last year, but the pace of improvement slowed after a post-pandemic rebound, according to state data. The figures, released together with enrollment and California School Dashboard information for the first time, show both academic gains and continuing challenges for schools and districts.
The share of students rated proficient in math increased just over 1 percentage point, to 38.5%, while English language arts proficiency rose half a percentage point, to 49.3%. Science proficiency increased 3.3 percentage points, reaching 36%. State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond described the overall pattern as gradual improvement, while saying more work remains.
The gains were not uniform. Some student groups, including white and Asian students, had scores below their 2019 levels, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person schooling. The report says scores and other academic indicators fell during the pandemic, then rebounded in the first years after students returned to classrooms; the latest data suggest that recovery has slowed.
Statewide enrollment fell by 74,000 students from the prior year, to 5.7 million, continuing a decade-long decline. California funds schools based partly on daily attendance, so falling enrollment can reduce revenue for districts. The data also show chronic absenteeism declined to 18% last year, down from 30% just after the pandemic, but still above the pre-pandemic level of about 12%.
Slower Gains Meet Falling Enrollment
The figures give families, district leaders and state policymakers a broad snapshot of academic recovery and the pressures facing public schools. Improvement has continued, but more slowly, and proficiency levels remain below half of students in math and science. That makes the pace and reach of future progress a central concern, particularly for groups whose scores remain below their 2019 results.
Enrollment adds a separate financial pressure. With the state serving fewer students, districts may see less funding under attendance-based formulas even as they work to address learning needs. The combined release of enrollment, test and dashboard data may help districts and the public compare these developments, though the figures alone do not establish why individual results changed.
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Recovery After Pandemic Disruptions
California’s academic measures dropped during the pandemic, when most schools closed to in-person learning, and improved substantially in the initial years after students returned. The latest results indicate that the rebound has settled into slower growth, rather than continuing at its earlier pace. Compared with 2019, results remain lower for some groups.
Other indicators have shifted over the past decade. The number of students with disabilities rose 25% to 850,822, while the number of English learners declined 30%, which the report links in part to lower immigration. Chronic absenteeism remains higher than before the pandemic despite its fall from the immediate post-pandemic peak.
Graduation figures also require care in interpretation. Two schools, Highlands charter school and California Innovative Career Academy, reported combined enrollment of 17,513 and graduation rates below 2% last year, affecting the statewide calculation. The state presented results both including and excluding them.
“It’s slow but steady improvement.”
— Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the State Board of Education
Uneven Results and Data Caveats
The state data show changes in scores and attendance, but do not by themselves explain what caused them or how gains are distributed across every district and student group. The report identifies lower-than-2019 scores for white and Asian students, but does not provide enough detail here to establish the reasons for those declines.
Graduation outcomes depend on whether Highlands and California Innovative Career Academy are included. With both schools counted, the statewide graduation rate was 87.9%, a slight increase from the prior year. Without them, it was 89.7%, the highest rate in decades, according to the report. The data do not resolve how much of the difference reflects the schools’ unusual enrollment and outcomes or broader statewide trends.
It is also unclear from the reported figures how quickly the slower test-score gains may change. Darling-Hammond forecast improvement in English language arts in coming years, but that is a prediction, not a result established by this year’s data.
Reforms and District Responses
Darling-Hammond pointed to state measures expected to take effect or expand in coming years, including transitional kindergarten, dyslexia screening, literacy coaches for elementary teachers and a phonics-based reading curriculum. She predicted those reforms could help lift English language arts scores, though their eventual effects remain to be seen.
Highlands, under new leadership, reduced its enrollment this year and is seeking to improve outcomes after the State Auditor criticized its management in a report last year, according to the source report. Districts will also have to respond to enrollment declines and the resulting funding implications. Future state data will show whether academic gains pick up, whether absenteeism continues to fall and how graduation outcomes develop.
Key Questions
How much did California test scores improve?
Math proficiency rose just over 1 percentage point to 38.5%; English language arts rose half a percentage point to 49.3%; and science increased 3.3 percentage points to 36%.
Did scores return to pre-pandemic levels?
Not for every group. The report says some groups, including white and Asian students, had scores below their 2019 levels. The reported statewide gains do not mean all students or subjects have recovered equally.
Why are there two graduation-rate figures?
The state reported a rate of 87.9% including Highlands charter school and California Innovative Career Academy, and 89.7% excluding them. Their combined enrollment was high and their graduation rates were below 2%, affecting the statewide figure.
What happened to school enrollment and absenteeism?
Enrollment fell by 74,000 students to 5.7 million. Chronic absenteeism declined to 18% last year, from 30% just after the pandemic, but remained above the pre-pandemic rate of about 12%.
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