Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the average NAEP mathematics score for 4th-grade public school students was 236, not significantly different from 2019.
- 8th-grade NAEP math score averaged 274 in 2022, down 5 points from 2019.
- 12th-grade NAEP math score was 377 in 2022, down 7 points from 2019.
- Adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high schools was 86% in 2019-20.
- ACGR for White students was 90% in 2019-20.
- Black students' ACGR was 80% in 2019-20.
- In 2021-22, total expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools were $857 billion.
- Current expenditures per pupil in public schools averaged $14,347 in 2021-22.
- Total federal funding for K-12 education was $119 billion in FY 2022.
- In fall 2021, about 49.6 million students were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States.
- Public school enrollment in the United States increased by 1% from fall 2020 to fall 2021, reaching 49.6 million students.
- In fall 2021, 15.2 million students were enrolled in public high schools (grades 9â12).
- In 2020-21, there were 3.2 million full-time-equivalent (FTE) public school teachers.
- 77% of public school teachers were female in 2020-21.
- Average age of public school teachers was 42 years in 2020-21.
NAEP results show small declines since 2019, while only 22 to 33 percent of students reached math and reading proficiency.
Related reading
Academic Performance and Testing
Academic Performance and Testing Interpretation
More related reading
Graduation Rates and Post-Secondary Outcomes
Graduation Rates and Post-Secondary Outcomes Interpretation
More related reading
School Funding and Expenditures
School Funding and Expenditures Interpretation
More related reading
Student Enrollment and Demographics
Student Enrollment and Demographics Interpretation
More related reading
Teacher Statistics and Workforce
Teacher Statistics and Workforce Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2â3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Education In America Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/education-in-america-statistics
Leah Kessler. "Education In America Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/education-in-america-statistics.
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Education In America Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/education-in-america-statistics.
Sources & References
- Reference 1NCESnces.ed.gov
nces.ed.gov
- Reference 2REPORTSreports.collegeboard.org
reports.collegeboard.org
- Reference 3ACTact.org
act.org
- Reference 4APCENTRALapcentral.collegeboard.org
apcentral.collegeboard.org
- Reference 5EDWEEKedweek.org
edweek.org
- Reference 6LEARNINGPOLICYINSTITUTElearningpolicyinstitute.org
learningpolicyinstitute.org
- Reference 7NBPTSnbpts.org
nbpts.org
- Reference 8EDed.gov
ed.gov







