More than half of third- through fifth-grade students in New York State failed their English Language Arts proficiency exams for the 2025-26 academic year, according to preliminary data released by the state Education Department. The results show a significant drop in reading skills across these crucial elementary grades.
Overall, 57% of 3rd graders, 52% of 4th graders, and 57% of 5th graders did not meet proficiency standards on the state's English Language Arts tests. Across grades 4-8, only 48% of students achieved proficiency, a 5% decrease from the previous year. Fifth graders experienced the most substantial decline, with their reading proficiency dropping by 14 percentage points.
In New York City, which enrolls approximately 40% of the state's public school students, the trend was even more pronounced. City students in grades 3-8 saw a 6% drop in ELA scores compared to the prior year, with roughly half achieving proficiency. Third graders in the city were the lowest-performing group, with scores falling 13.8% and only about 44% ranking proficient. Fifth graders in the city also saw a significant decrease of 13.1%.
While the exact areas of deficiency are not detailed in the data, some experts point to increased spending on education without corresponding changes in teaching methodologies. Zilvinas Silenas, president and CEO of the Empire Center for Public Policy, noted that New York spends approximately $37,000 per student on public education, the highest in the nation, yet performance is not commensurate. He suggested examining and replicating successful teaching practices found in other schools within the state.
In response to the data, a spokesperson for the state Education Department, JP O’Hare, stated that the department takes the decline seriously and will conduct a thorough analysis to identify affected student groups and determine where additional support is needed. Governor Kathy Hochul's office indicated that improving student literacy is a policy priority, with a record $39.3 billion allocated for the 2026-27 academic year aimed at enhancing literacy instruction and providing schools with necessary resources.
However, some educators and former officials suggest that recent shifts in curriculum and teaching strategies may be contributing to the decline. Eric Nadelstern, former deputy schools chancellor, argued that a one-size-fits-all approach to literacy instruction can be detrimental in a diverse city like New York, potentially alienating teachers and leading to poor program implementation. Mary Vaccaro, vice president of the United Federation of Teachers, also attributed the decline to a departure from proven literacy methods and the adoption of numerous additional programs and assessments without a clear strategy.
In contrast, students performed better on the math exam, with about 57% of students in grades 3-8 passing, a slight increase from the previous year.