W.Va. K-12 Student Assessments Surpass Pre-COVID Levels

Student assessments in math and English fell nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, but students in West Virginia now surpass 2019 proficiency levels.  

The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBOE) released the 2026 student assessment results Wednesday with scores above pre-pandemic levels overall and at most grade levels.  

Math And Science 

The proficiency rate among all students for math is 39.4%, higher than the 38.7% before the pandemic. Almost all grade levels increased in math, with a 2% increase in Grades 5, 6 and 7 and a 1% increase in Grades 3, 8 and 11, reflecting continued growth in student learning.  

Grade 4 proficiency decreased by one percentage point. 

In science, which is only administered in Grades 5, 8 and 11, proficiency dropped from 30% to 29%, the same as in 2024. 

English Language Arts (ELA) 

Overall proficiency remained flat but still above pre-COVID-19 levels. The percent proficient in ELA from 2025 to 2026 increased in Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8. Rates stayed the same in Grades 3 and 4. The outlier was Grade 11, which dropped 4% from 55% to 51%. The national College Board has reported similar results on the SAT School Day in reading and writing from 2025 to 2026 in other states as well. 

Chronic absenteeism impacts student outcomes, with a distinct correlation of lower proficiency results among students who are chronically absent, according to a press release from the BOE. This includes nearly 15% lower proficiency rates in ELA and 20% lower rates in math across all grades. 

“Our teachers, administrators and staff in our public schools are working extremely hard every day to support our students and advance their learning, health and overall outcomes,” Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt said. “The increases we are experiencing are the result of the dedication of these men and women. They see our children’s potential and ensure their needs are met so they can be successful in school and beyond.” 
A recent national study ranked West Virginia second in the nation for the most underprivileged children. Contributing factors include low-income households, low workforce participation rates and the number of children living in foster care or with grandparents. 

“It is difficult to compare West Virginia with states that have growing economies, bustling populations and higher educational attainment along with higher job participation rates,” Blatt said. “However, as public schools and educators, we will continue to work through our challenges to give our children the best education and opportunities to succeed.” 

For complete assessment results, including county- and school-level results, visit the ZoomWV Dashboard.