The landscape of American education is facing a troubling decline, as recent data reveals that the percentage of fourth graders scoring below basic in reading skills on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests has reached its highest level in two decades. This alarming trend reflects a broader crisis in literacy and reasoning skills among both children and adults.
Published on April 17, 2025, the findings indicate that not only fourth graders are struggling; eighth graders are also showing concerning results, with the percentage of those scoring below basic being the highest in the exam’s three-decade history. These statistics raise serious questions about the educational foundations being laid for the nation’s youth.
According to David Brooks, writing for The San Juan Daily Star, the implications of these statistics extend beyond just test scores. He notes that a fourth grader who scores below basic cannot grasp the sequence of events in a story, while an eighth grader struggles to identify the main idea of an essay or understand differing viewpoints in a debate. This lack of comprehension skills is alarming and suggests a significant gap in the educational system.
Moreover, adult literacy and numeracy skills have been on a decline since 2017, with tests from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) indicating a downward trend in adult literacy over the past decade. Andreas Schleicher, the head of education and skills at the OECD, highlighted this issue, stating, "Thirty percent of Americans read at a level that you would expect from a 10-year-old child." This statistic underscores the urgent need for reform in how literacy is approached in education.
Brooks emphasizes that the decline in literacy is not uniform across all demographics. Nat Malkus of the American Enterprise Institute points out that while the scores of top-performing students remain stable, the scores of those at the bottom are collapsing. This widening achievement gap is more pronounced in the United States than in any other nation with similar data.
Several factors contribute to this troubling trend. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted education, leading to lower test scores. The abandonment of the No Child Left Behind policy, which emphasized testing and aimed to reduce achievement gaps, also played a role. However, Brooks argues that the decline began even earlier, around 2012, suggesting that another culprit may be the rise of screen time.
Brooks explains that passively scrolling through social media platforms like TikTok or X (formerly Twitter) can weaken essential cognitive skills, including the ability to process verbal information and focus. He warns that this shift in how people consume information is leading to a cultural change, where the value of hard work in improving one’s wisdom and judgment seems to be diminishing.
The statistics are stark: during the 2022-23 school year, 26% of students were chronically absent from school. This raises questions about parental engagement and the value placed on education. In 1984, 35% of 13-year-olds reported reading for fun almost every day; by 2023, that number had plummeted to just 14%. This decline in reading for pleasure is particularly concerning, as it is often linked to improved literacy and cognitive skills.
As educators and parents grapple with these challenges, there is growing concern among college professors about the preparedness of students entering higher education. The Chronicle of Higher Education highlighted the experiences of Anya Galli Robertson, a sociology professor at the University of Dayton, who noted that her students, despite receiving the same lectures and assignments as in previous years, are struggling to keep up. This trend is echoed by other educators, with many lamenting the decline in their students’ abilities to engage with complex texts.
Brooks also draws attention to the broader implications of declining reasoning abilities in American society. He cites the tariff policies of former President Donald Trump as an example of poor judgment rooted in a lack of critical thinking. He argues that such policies are often based on flawed assumptions and lack coherent arguments, reflecting a troubling trend in decision-making at the highest levels of government.
The shift from a literate culture to a screen culture poses significant risks for future generations. As Brooks puts it, "Producing something this stupid is not the work of a day; it is the achievement of a lifetime — relying on decades of incuriosity, decades of not cracking a book, decades of being impervious to evidence." This statement encapsulates the urgency of addressing the educational crisis facing America.
In light of these findings, it is imperative for educators, policymakers, and parents to come together to foster a renewed commitment to literacy and critical thinking. As Brooks emphasizes, the ability to read and process information is foundational to making informed decisions in an increasingly complex world. The future of American education depends on reversing these trends and instilling a love of reading and learning in students.
As the statistics continue to reveal a troubling narrative about the state of education in the United States, the call to action is clear. Without significant intervention and a cultural shift towards valuing education, the consequences could be dire for future generations.
