Last week, at least one expert was disappointed by Ohio’s performance in the National Assessment of Educational Progress report card.

Aaron Churchill, Ohio research director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, called the report — based on exams given biennially to fourth and eighth graders in math and reading — “disappointing.”

“Mirroring national trends, Ohio’s reading scores continue to be on an alarming slide,” he said. “Results from math are more positive — Ohio’s proficiency rating ticked upward in both grades — yet still remain well below pre-pandemic levels in eighth grade.”

Reading proficiency rates have declined in both tested grades since 2017. Only fourth-grade math proficiency has bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, while eighth-grade math proficiency continues to stall.

Fordham Institute says its mission is promoting “educational excellence for every child in America via quality research, analysis and commentary, as well as advocacy and charter school authorizing in Ohio.” That’s worth bearing in mind.

But Churchill is correct that “far too many Ohio students are struggling to master core math and reading skills.” In fact, his ideas for improving those results are worth consideration on the part of lawmakers who sometimes lose focus.

“To give students a boost, state leaders need to put math and reading back at the center of our education debates,” he said. “Schools must ensure that students are in attendance, have their phones away and are ready to learn. Teachers should be using effective instructional methods, including those aligned to the science of reading. Parents should be able to track their own child’s progress and be empowered to help if he or she is falling behind.”

Churchill believes a focus “squarely on math and reading” will help the Buckeye State “break through this academic malaise.”

Progress has already been made on some fronts, such as asking schools to implement cellphone policies and focusing on the science of reading. But lawmakers should take note Churchill did not feel the need to mention backward socio-cultural crusades that do nothing but distract and chill teachers, or explore options that take students away from academic time and off campus. Those are only getting in the way.

It is time to renew our focus on educating students in a way that will give them the skills and critical thinking ability to be productive and contribute to progress in the real world. Focusing on anything less will only continue to be disappointing.