(Salt Lake City, UT) — The COVID-19 pandemic is being blamed for a sharp decline in student achievement in Utah. A report recently presented to the Utah Board of Education shows that test scores in specific subjects dropped significantly after remote learning and other COVID-19 related issues began affecting students. Reading scores for students at the elementary grade level dropped from 69 to 62-percent. Math scores for students in fifth through tenth grade also dropped sharply. The complete report is expected to be released next week ahead of being presented to the Utah Legislature.