The findings from the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics and Reading Assessments demonstrate that students must have more support. While the national high school graduation rate is at its all-time highest, we must provide students with a robust curriculum, high-quality teachers and comprehensive services that include safety and mental health supports to ensure their future success.

As policy makers and education leaders, school boards want all students to excel at the 4th and 8th grade benchmarks so that they are on the path to graduate from high school with solid competencies in important areas such as literacy and problem solving.

It is evident that students will need an even broader set of competencies and skills to succeed in the 21st century—stronger literacy and analytical skills, flexibility, adaptability and other life-ready skills.

Investments for teacher training and development, student support services, access to high-speed broadband and adaptive technology, and innovative programs that boost student learning and achievement are urgently needed, especially as our public schools are educating more students than ever before in history – and doing so despite enormous financial challenges.

Indeed, NAEP’s findings must be viewed as a call to action for Congress and the Administration to place a greater priority on our public schools and the interests of our nation’s more than 50 million public schoolchildren.

NSBA, working with and through state associations and representing more than 90,000 local school board members is committed to providing the highest quality education for every child so that they can lead successful lives. We ask that our lawmakers share in this commitment and support public education so that we can secure a brighter future for our children, our communities and our nation.

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) is the leading advocate for public education and supports equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership. NSBA believes education is a civil right necessary to the dignity and freedom of the American people, and all children should have equal access to an education that maximizes his or her individual potential. The association represents state school boards associations and their more than 90,000 local school board members throughout the U.S. www.nsba.org