American Students’ Reading Scores Hit 30-Year Low, Spark Education Reform Calls

American students’ reading skills are at their lowest point in over three decades, with eighth-grade scores reaching a historic low, and fourth-graders also showing near-record declines. The post-pandemic struggles continue as educators face mounting challenges to keep students engaged, leading to a troubling decline in literacy. The long-term effects of these setbacks could have serious consequences for high school graduation rates and future job prospects. As states like Florida work to address these gaps, the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress results reveal a pressing need for comprehensive education reform.