PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Academic test scores for South Dakota kids fell due to the pandemic, but not as far as other states.

That was the message to the legislatures Government Operations and Audit Committee this week.

Education Department Deputy Secretary Mary Stadick-Smith says fourth and eighth graders were tested.

Stadick-Smith says they hope test scores improve this year.

Stadick-Smith says most district scores stayed stable.

Stadick-Smith told the committee every school district got federal pandemic funding to help recover the learning loss.