Kids’ Test Scores Hit Record Lows—One Change at Home Stood Out - Newsweek

A troubling trend is emerging in classrooms across some of the world's wealthiest countries.

International test scores in mathematics, reading and science have fallen to their lowest levels on record among developed economies, according to newly released results from a major global assessment.

But alongside the declining scores, researchers spotted that parents appear to be taking less interest in their children's education.

More than 760,000 15-year-olds from dozens of countries took part in the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an international benchmark of academic performance conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The results showed that average scores in math, reading and science have all reached their lowest point in the history of the assessment among highly developed economies.

Countries such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China ranked among the strongest performers, while Estonia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand also posted high scores.

However, researchers say the most revealing findings may have come from a survey completed alongside the test.

Compared with the previous PISA cycle in 2022, almost every participating country reported a decline in family engagement with children's education.

Researchers measured this through questions about how often parents discuss schoolwork with their children and show interest in their learning. The decline was particularly noticeable among boys.

The difference appeared to matter. Students who said a family member asked them at least once a week about what they had done at school scored about 35 points higher on the PISA science assessment than students whose families were less engaged.

According to the OECD, that gap is equivalent to more than a year and a half of learning, even after accounting for socioeconomic differences.

Emily Levy, an expert learning specialist and founder of EBL Coaching, told Newsweek that there are many habits parents can adopt to help foster stronger academic outcomes.

"When parents ask their child about school, they should ask pointed questions rather than general questions, like 'What did you work on in math today?' or 'Did you learn any new vocabulary words in Spanish?'"

"General questions like, 'How was school?' usually won't lead to concrete answers," Levy said.

Parents can help support academic success by creating consistent routines at home, including a dedicated homework space, a regular study schedule and structured study breaks, Levy said.

Researchers also identified digital distraction as another potential influence on learning.

More than one in four students in high-income countries reported that classmates were distracted by digital devices during most or every science lesson.

Countries with stronger restrictions on cellphone use in schools tended to report lower levels of classroom distraction.

The relationship between technology and academic achievement appeared to be complex.

Students in countries where digital devices were used for roughly two to three hours per day in school generally achieved higher scores.

Beyond that point, however, performance tended to decline.

The report also found that greater use of artificial intelligence tools was associated with lower test scores.

Students who reported never using AI chatbots generally performed better than those who used them regularly.

Nearly half of students in developed economies said they used AI chatbots to support learning at least once a week.

Levy believes declining parental involvement is contributing to lower test scores, but that it is far from the only factor driving the trend.

"Kids are using technology more and reading less, resulting in diminishing comprehension, vocabulary and language skills," Levy said. "Students might also be less motivated to study and do well in school. Thus, while I do think parent engagement is a key component of success in school, I don't think it's the only variable."

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Kara Dolman and Shakeema Edwards.