US Reading Recession and Education Reforms

The United States is experiencing a 'reading recession,' with student test scores declining since the mid-2010s, a trend exacerbated but not caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Scholars from Harvard University, Stanford University, and Dartmouth College analyzed test scores from over 5,000 school districts in 38 states, revealing that only five states and the District of Columbia showed meaningful growth in reading from 2022 to 2025. Nationally, students remain nearly half a grade level behind pre-pandemic reading scores. However, some states and school districts are making progress. States like United States — Louisiana, United States — Maryland, United States — Tennessee, United States — Kentucky, and United States — Indianapolis have improved reading scores by mandating phonics-based instruction, known as the 'science of reading.' United States — Alabama also showed significant gains in reading and math due to similar reforms. Local districts such as United States — California, and United States — Detroit have seen improvements through revamped instruction, teacher training, and efforts to reduce student absenteeism, with United States — Detroit benefiting from a $94 million lawsuit settlement. Researchers attribute the decline to factors like the rise of social media and a relaxation of accountability for schools, but emphasize that widespread educational improvement is possible, as demonstrated by progress in the 1990s and early 2000s.