Students at American public schools struggled in math during the pandemic. The National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) is a math and reading test given to fourth and eighth grade students in public schools around the country. Results from this year showed that students’ scores had the largest decreases in math since 1990, when the test was first released. All areas of the U.S. reported lower test scores in math. More than one-third of students scored below basic levels. The decreases were also more severe in math than in reading.

Which of the following is a definition of the word severe?
worse, to a great degree
cut in half
a walking stick
a holiday treat
Which areas of the U.S. reported lower test scores in math?
all areas
the northeast
the southwest
the northwest
More than one-third of students scored below basic levels.
below
bee
balloon
knee