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Public Schools Receive Failing Grade on “The Nation’s Report Card”
ORLANDO, FL — A recently released report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) presents a harsh reality: Public schools are failing America’s children. According to a May 15 analysis by the Manhattan Institute, the NAEP assessment “confirm[s] a long-term crisis in education, with student performance stagnating or declining despite decades of federal spending and education reform initiatives.”
In the wake of public schools continuing to struggle in student achievement, homeschooling through programs like Covenant Journey Academy (CJA) is proving to be an increasingly popular alternative for families seeking educational excellence.
The January 2025 NAEP report, known as “The Nation’s Report Card,” reveals many concerning trends in public education:
- Reading scores dropped in both fourth and eighth grades, continuing a decades-long trend of academic declines that began well before the pandemic.
- Only 31 percent of fourth graders and 30 percent of eighth graders were found to be proficient in reading — the lowest reading proficiency levels in decades.
- A full 61 percent of fourth graders and 72 percent of eighth graders failed to meet math proficiency standards.
- Achievement gaps between higher and lower performing students continue to widen.
“With NAEP reporting that nearly 70 percent of fourth graders are reading below proficiency standards, parents are rightfully concerned about their children’s education,” said CJA Founder and Chancellor Mat Staver. “At Covenant Journey Academy, we prioritize strong foundational skills across the board — from the very earliest ages — and offer resources designed to help students excel throughout their academic journey while developing character and critical thinking skills that serve them for a lifetime.”
Covenant Journey Academy offers a personalized homeschooling approach that addresses these challenges through:
- 300 self-paced online course options.
- 24/7/365 access to courses, allowing parents maximum flexibility in planning their student’s days.
- Complete, full-featured courses to help students master key concepts.
- Curriculum focused on building strong foundational skills, including reading and mathematics.
- Regular assessment and feedback to ensure continuous improvement.
“The NAEP report confirms what a growing number of parents are discovering every day — that America is in an education crisis,” says CJA President and CEO Shawn Akers. “But the good news is that parents now have more innovative education options than ever before; more states are embracing parental rights and school choice than ever before; and more families than ever are discovering the ease and power of homeschooling with an online private Christian school like CJA.”
CJA is proud to stand with families by providing an affordable, flexible, superior learning experience — built upon the foundation of a Christian worldview. For families considering homeschooling as an alternative to traditional education, we offer free consultations to discuss educational options and discover all CJA has to offer. Let our personalized approach empower your children to thrive academically and rediscover their love of learning today!
Explore our academics, course offerings, leadership, and more by visiting CJ.Academy or calling 407-875-1967.
Post Office Box 547067
Orlando, FL 32854
CJA@ CJ.Academy
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