Math proficiency increased by just over 1 percentage point, reaching 38.5%. English language arts proficiency rose half a percentage point to 49.3%, while science proficiency climbed 3.3 percentage points to 36%.

The gains mark continued recovery from pandemic-era learning disruptions, but the pace has slowed after stronger improvements in the first years back to in-person instruction. “It’s slow but steady improvement,” said Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the State Board of Education, adding that schools still have substantial work ahead.

The results were not uniform. White and Asian students’ scores in some categories remained below their 2019, pre-pandemic levels, even as statewide measures improved.

California’s enrollment dropped by 74,000 students from the prior year, to 5.7 million. Because state funding is tied to how many students attend, the decline threatens to reduce revenue for many districts, even as schools continue to meet students’ needs.

Other student trends are reshaping classrooms and district planning. The number of students with disabilities reached 850,822, up 25% over the past decade. English learner enrollment fell 30% over the same period, a change attributed in part to reduced immigration. Chronic absenteeism also eased to 18% last year, down more than 1 percentage point from the year before, but remains above the roughly 12% rate recorded before the pandemic.

State officials released enrollment, test-score and California School Dashboard data together for the first time, a step intended to make it easier for families, districts and policymakers to compare trends.

Education leaders are looking to several state initiatives—including expanded transitional kindergarten, dyslexia screening, literacy coaches and a phonics-focused reading curriculum—to help improve reading outcomes in coming years.

The data also showed progress in graduation and college and career preparation, though one large adult education charter operator substantially affected the statewide graduation figure. Highlands charter school and its sister school, California Innovative Career Academy, together enrolled 17,513 students and graduated fewer than 2% last year. The statewide graduation rate was 87.9% including the schools and 89.7% without them, the highest level in decades, according to state figures.

The schools have since reduced enrollment, and Highlands is working to improve outcomes after a state audit criticized its management. Separately, the share of graduates who completed a career pathway or the A-G courses required for admission to California’s public universities rose 2.2 percentage points, to 55.2%.