Achievement data released by the Colorado Department of Education shows continued improvement in student performance across several grades and subjects, while also highlighting persistent achievement gaps among different student groups. The latest results are based on the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS), PSAT, and SAT assessments administered to public school students from third through eleventh grade in spring 2025.
Student growth overall is nearing pre-pandemic levels. However, the data indicates that longstanding gaps between certain student populations may persist unless efforts are made to accelerate progress toward grade-level expectations.
“We’re encouraged by the progress many student groups are making,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. “At the same time, we know there is work ahead to ensure more students are meeting Colorado’s academic expectations across every grade and subject. Persistent achievement gaps highlight the importance of continuing our efforts to support every learner. These results reinforce our commitment to equity, strong support systems, and high expectations for all students.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis noted recent investments in educational resources such as a free online math platform for K-8 students funded with federal COVID relief dollars in 2023 and 2024. He said he was pleased with the gains seen in mathematics scores.
“We are proud to see student achievement improve, especially in math,” Polis said. “Colorado has invested in support for students and educators to increase learning in math and other areas, as well as after-school education, and the results are now showing real improvements for Colorado students.. I want to thank all the incredible educators who are helping students fulfill their greatest potential.”
According to state data, CMAS English Language Arts (ELA) scores showed steady or slightly increased percentages of students meeting grade-level expectations in fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades compared with last year. In mathematics, elementary and middle schoolers posted year-over-year gains from fourth through eighth grades since 2021. Most CMAS scores have reached or surpassed pre-pandemic levels except for fourth-grade ELA and eighth-grade ELA and math.
Science achievement also increased modestly at fifth grade and more substantially at eighth grade. SAT results for eleventh graders improved both in reading/writing and math over last year’s figures.
Among specific student groups:
– Most racial/ethnic groups saw increases on CMAS tests—especially seventh-grade ELA; fourth-, sixth-, and eighth-grade math; and eighth-grade science—compared with 2024.
– Black students were unique among racial/ethnic groups for increasing their percentage meeting or exceeding expectations on PSAT 10 Reading/Writing.
– Minority group growth rates have returned just below the median pre-pandemic percentile.
– Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch improved their performance in eighth-grade science but had generally stable outcomes elsewhere; their SAT Reading/Writing scores rose along with PSAT 10 Math but fell slightly on some other assessments.
– Multilingual learners’ overall achievement remains low but stable compared with last year; middle school math performance matches pre-pandemic levels while elementary ELA/math remains below those benchmarks.
– Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) showed steady or improving performance across several subjects compared with both last year’s data and pre-pandemic levels.
The full set of state-, district-, and school-level assessment results can be found on the Colorado Department of Education’s website: https://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment/cmas-dataandresults
The department stated its ongoing goal is to create equitable educational environments where all Colorado students can thrive by serving all 178 school districts statewide.
