KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A majority of schools nationwide are losing ground in math and reading, according to data released by the Educational Opportunity Project at Stanford University.

Metro educators say the data brings no reason for alarm. One Kansas City nonprofit said the information helps guide solutions in the classroom. The report offers a wide lens on how districts have performed over a decade. It shows that more work is needed across education.

The Education Opportunity Project gathers data on test scores and compared it to how schools did since 2015. Missouri and Kansas are no exception. The Associated Press broke it down — only five states plus the District of Columbia had meaningful growth in reading test scores from 2022 to 2025.

Organizations like School Smart KC work with schools to bridge resource gaps that contribute to learning loss.

“Educators and school leaders have known this information for quite some time,” said Angelique Nedved, CEO of School Smart KC. “This was prepandemic. This was not a result of COVID.”

Nedved said Missouri has not appropriated funds for the things that work well to teach students to read. She said the data shows more investment is needed for children.

“What I do think is important is for our Kansas City families to know is the country isn’t failing. It’s about access to the resources and then not to look at it as an alarm, but there is hope,” Nedved said. “We are building upon schools and school leaders having pieces and parts in place. It’s back to that extension of time in making sure all those pieces are together.”

Her organization has recently partnered with schools to bring resources like tutoring to the table.

“We come together, bring those resources to the table and ensure that it’s in place for more than a few months or just a few years,” Nedved said. “I am a believer in an empowered population.”

In January, Chris Leavens at Guadalupe Centers Middle School helped build classroom libraries to bring reading access steps away from students’ desks.