The Arizona Department of Education reports students are making some gains after pandemic learning losses.

The latest Arizona Academic Standards Assessment results show Arizona students' English Language Arts test scores improved by 3 percentage points and math scores improved by 2 percentage points last school year, compared to the previous year.

“Even though last year was still a difficult and tumultuous year for our schools, by and large, most of our students were back in the classroom, so we are pleased to see that our students are making steady growth across the state," state Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman told KJZZ News. “In 2021, there was actually a pretty significant decline in student achievement, and so now to see growth this year is showing that we’re rebounding."

But students' test scores are still not back to where they were pre-pandemic, and the majority of third-through-eighth grade students statewide did not pass the tests. In the 2021-2022 school year, 41% of Arizona students passed the English assessment, while just 33% passed the math section. 

"We definitely still have work to do,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman pointed out the department this year is investing millions of dollars from federal pandemic relief packages in professional development for teachers, plus math, literacy, and mental health programs for students.