Students completing work in the classtroom at a table.

Jan. 29, 2025 – Following optimistic news earlier this month about the historic rise in the district’s grad rate, today’s release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores gave district leaders some pause.

The national results showed declining scores in three out of four tested areas across the nation:  Grade 4 Reading, Grade 8 Math, and Grade 8 Reading. The exception was Grade 4 Math, which showed a slight increase.

For Duval, the decline was in all four tested areas. The district’s decline led to a drop in its rankings among other participating large urban school districts. Duval County Public Schools received the following ranks in 2024 compared to 2022.

  • Grade 4 Math:

    • 2024 Ranked 8th

    • 2022 Ranked 4th

  • Grade 8 Math:

    • 2024 Ranked 14th

    • 2022 Ranked 7th

  • Grade 4 Reading:

    • 2024 Ranked 12th

    • 2022 Ranked 5th

  • Grade 8 Reading:

    • 2024 Ranked 17th

    • 2022 Ranked 4th

“The value of these results is that they serve as a lens into student achievement,” said Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier. “Utilizing the results strategically, we can ensure the work to improve student outcomes for all remains an urgent priority. This information demonstrates there is serious work to be accomplished.”