California Test Results Show Persistent Academic Struggles

October 24, 2026 - 04:11

Last week, the California Department of Education released CAASPP (state standardized test) results for the 2025-26 school year. While Governor Newsom says the scores are evidence of "continued progress," the numbers tell a different story. In a continuation of California's chronically poor academic performance, just under half (49.3 percent) of California public school students scored at or above grade level in English language arts, and only about a third met or exceeded standards in mathematics. The results mark yet another year in which a majority of students failed to demonstrate proficiency in core subjects.

The figures also expose deep and widening gaps between student groups. Low-income students, English learners, and students with disabilities continued to trail their peers by substantial margins, and several districts reported declines compared with the previous year. Attendance and chronic absenteeism remain significant factors, with education officials acknowledging that missed instructional days continue to weigh on outcomes.

Critics argue that the state's emphasis on new spending has not translated into measurable classroom gains. Parent advocacy groups are calling for greater transparency and a sharper focus on early literacy and math intervention. District leaders, meanwhile, caution that a single test score does not capture the full picture of student learning, pointing to staffing shortages and post-pandemic recovery challenges. Still, with proficiency rates stuck below half statewide, the latest results are likely to intensify debate over how California measures and improves student achievement.