By Vince Marigna, CEO
Last week, results of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) were released, revealing troubling declines in reading performance and stagnation in math scores. These results underscore the challenges our nation faces in ensuring all students have access to quality education and are prepared for the future. While a portion of students, particularly those at the top percentile, have made slight gains, too many students, particularly students from underserved communities, have fallen further behind. This gap, only exacerbated by the pandemic, represents a clear and urgent crisis that demands immediate action.
Student outcomes are directly connected to the strength and preparation of the educator workforce. The current teacher shortage—over 400,000 unfilled or underqualified positions—further compounds the problem. Without a sufficient number of highly qualified teachers, the success of our students—and the future of our nation—hang in the balance.
At Breakthrough, we are addressing the challenge head-on by focusing on two critical areas: accelerating student learning and preparing the next generation of educators.
Last year, Breakthrough served and supported more than 10,000 middle and high school students during out-of-school time, offering personalized academic support and 21st century skills to prepare them for college and careers. Last summer, more than 70% of Breakthrough students maintained or improved their reading and math skills. In contrast, national data shows that most students lose about two months of math skills over the summer, with students with fewer resources losing up to three months.
To create lasting change, we also recognize the need to invest in the future of teaching. Through our premier Teaching Fellowship, we are cultivating interest and expanding access to the teaching profession. Last summer, we placed 1,000-plus college students in classrooms across the country, where they provided essential instruction, mentorship, and support to students determined to reach their college aspirations and future ambitions. While only 20% of our Teaching Fellows are education majors, 52% of them go on to enter the classroom as teachers.
The state of education in this country is inextricably linked to the health of our economy, our workforce, and our society as a whole. If we do not address the educational challenges we see today, we risk limiting the potential of an entire generation. Economic mobility for young people will remain restricted, hindering not just individual lives but the future of our nation. Education is both a moral obligation and an essential driver of economic progress.
Breakthrough is committed to being part of the solution. We are working to accelerate learning for students and strengthen the educator workforce, creating long-term, sustainable change. But we cannot do it alone. This is a national issue, and it requires national collaboration. From policymakers to community leaders, educators to parents, we all must come together to ensure that our children have every opportunity to succeed.
The call to action is clear: We must invest in our teachers and in our students. We need more funding for programs like Breakthrough that provide access to high-quality out-of-school learning experiences. We must prioritize teacher preparation and recruitment, while also ensuring that teachers receive the support they need to stay in the classroom. And we need to recognize that the stakes are higher than ever. The future of our nation depends on the education we provide today.