The Utah State Board of Education release 2025-2026 statewide assessment results in Utah show English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics recovery accelerating, and science results reaching record highs.
The Big Picture
The 2025–2026 Utah statewide assessment results demonstrate continuous multi-year academic growth following pandemic-related disruptions. Across all core subjects, student performance increased year-over-year, reflecting sustained multi-year gains.Most notably, Science performance has exceeded pre-pandemic baseline levels, while English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics are closing in on full recovery. Assessment results are available interactively via the Utah Educational Data Gateway Dashboards and in downloadable formats on the Data and Statistics page.
Why It Matters
These results focus on overall student learning and achievement levels, rather than evaluating specific school accountability. They signal that single-year growth of +1.2 percent to +2.6 percent reflects sustained, healthy progress rather than statistical noise, providing a strong indicator of systemic academic recovery statewide.
By the Numbers: Statewide Subject Performance
Note: Statewide summative testing was paused in Spring 2020 due to COVID-19 school closures.
| Subject Area | 2019 Baseline[1] | Trough Year – 2021 | 2025 Result | 2026 Result | 1-Year Shift |
| ELA | 46.8% | 43.1% | 43.9% | 45.4% | +1.5% |
| Mathematics | 44.6% | 39.0% | 41.3% | 42.5% | +1.2% |
| Science | 47.0% | 43.8% | 47.2% | 49.8% | +2.6% |
- English Language Arts: Reached 45.4 percent proficiency, up +2.3 percentage points from the 2021 low and within 1.4 percentage points of the pre-pandemic nadir.
- Mathematics: Reached 42.5 percent proficiency, maintaining steady year-over-year recovery (+1.2 percentage points) and up +3.5 percentage points since 2021.
- Science: Reached 49.8 percent proficiency, marking a milestone as the first core subject area to comfortably exceed pre-pandemic achievement levels.
Grade-Level & Assessment Type Comparison
Early Literacy & Numeracy (Acadience, Grades K-3)
- Early Reading: 70.6 percent of k-3 students scored at or above benchmark on the end-of-year assessment.
- Early Numeracy: 65.1 percent of the K-3 students scored at or above benchmark on the end-of-year assessment.
Elementary & Middle School (RISE, Grades 3–8)
- English Language Arts: 45.3 percent proficient (126,281 / 278,534 tested)
- Mathematics: 45.4 percent proficient (126,328 / 278,333 tested)
- Highlight: Early math foundation remains strong in Grade 3 (50.1 percent) and Grade 4 (50.4 percent).
- Science: 52.3 percent proficient (122,300 / 233,660 tested)
- Highlight: Grade 6 Science delivered the highest grade-level proficiency in the state at 58.2 percent.
High School (Utah Aspire Plus, Grades 9–10)
- English Language Arts: 46.7 percent proficient (40,948 / 87,619 tested)
- Mathematics: 34.5 percent proficient (29,664 / 86,086 tested)
- Science: 44.6 percent proficient (38,934 / 87,232 tested)
High School College Readiness (ACT, Grade 11)
- Composite Benchmark (18+): 62.3 percent of 11th graders scored 18 or higher on the overall composite (26,909 / 43,185 tested).
