"US Children Fall Further Behind in Reading: A FAQ for Radio Hosts

US Children Fall Further Behind in Reading: A FAQ for Radio HostsAs radio hosts, you play a critical role in keeping your listeners informed about important issues that affect their daily lives. In this blog, we'll address the pressing topic of US children falling further behind in reading skills and making little progress in math on national exams.Q: What's happening with US children's reading skills?A: According to the latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), American schoolchildren have continued to decline in reading skills since the COVID-19 pandemic. The average score for fourth-grade students fell 2 points, and eighth-grade students scored below "basic" levels, with one-third of students scoring below this level.Q: Is it just a reading problem?A: No, it's not just a reading issue! While reading scores have taken a hit, math scores haven't shown much improvement either. In fact, the average score for fourth-grade students ticked up only 2 points, and eighth-grade students saw no change from 2022. This lack of progress is concerning, especially when you consider that students who struggle with reading often fall behind in other subjects as well.Q: What's causing this decline?A: Unfortunately, it's a complex web of challenges affecting US education. The NAEP results highlight the impact of pandemic-related school closures, chronic absenteeism, and youth mental health crises on student learning. However, there are solutions out there – we'll discuss those shortly!Q: Can anything be done to turn things around?A: Absolutely! Investing in efforts like intensive tutoring programs and curriculum updates can make a real difference. For example, some big urban districts that implemented these types of initiatives saw notable improvement in fourth-grade math scores.Q: Is there hope for turning this trend around?A: Yes! While the news may not be all positive, there are glimmers of hope out there. For instance, Louisiana's campaign to improve reading proficiency resulted in both higher- and lower-performing students exceeding 2019 scores. And Alabama achieved similar success in fourth-grade math. These successes demonstrate that with the right approaches and investments, we can turn this trend around.Q: What's the takeaway from all of this?A: In a nutshell, it's time to acknowledge the challenges facing US education – and take action! By working together to find solutions, we can start to make progress. As radio hosts, you play a vital role in keeping your listeners informed about these important issues. Keep shining a light on what matters most – our children's future!By addressing common questions and concerns, we hope to provide you with a clear understanding of the issues affecting US children's reading skills and math abilities. Remember, as radio hosts, your listeners rely on you for trusted information and expert insights.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.