Report Shows Maine Education in Decline

A new national report is sounding the alarm about education in Maine.

The latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks all 50 states on child well-being, measuring education, health, economic security, and family life.

Maine placed 21st overall, but the state’s education results tell a different story. Since 2019, Maine has experienced the nation’s second-largest decline in education performance.

The report found 74 percent of Maine fourth graders were not reading at grade level in 2024, a 10-point increase over the past five years. As a result, Maine’s national ranking for fourth-grade reading fell dramatically—from 16th to 43rd.

Math scores also slipped. Three out of four Maine eighth graders scored below proficiency in math last year, compared to 66 percent in 2019.

The report also highlights challenges before children even reach kindergarten. Six in 10 Maine three- and four-year-olds are not enrolled in preschool, placing the state 36th nationwide for preschool participation.

Despite those concerns, Maine continues to perform well in family and community well-being, ranking sixth in the country. That score reflects relatively low child poverty, fewer teen births, and a high percentage of children living with adults who have at least a high school diploma.

The Maine Children’s Alliance says the education trends are a call to action. The organization is urging state leaders to expand access to infant, toddler, and preschool programs while investing in reading coaches, tutoring, and other literacy and math support to help students regain lost ground.

Researchers warn the consequences can be long-lasting, noting that children who aren’t reading proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.

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