Education Scorecard Finds Reading Down in 83% of Schools as Decade-Long Slump Predates COVID
Updated
Updated · Fortune · May 28
Education Scorecard Finds Reading Down in 83% of Schools as Decade-Long Slump Predates COVID
1 articles · Updated · Fortune · May 28
Reading scores fell in 83% of schools and math in 70%, according to the latest Education Scorecard, which says the U.S. “learning recession” began around 2013 rather than with COVID alone.
2013 marked two shifts the researchers link to the slide: smartphone use surged among students, and federal accountability weakened as No Child Left Behind sanctions were waived and later replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act.
COVID still deepened the damage—NAEP showed nine-year-olds’ reading scores down 5 points and math down 7 points from 2020 to 2022, while chronic absenteeism reached 30% and 37% of high schoolers reported poor mental health.
From 2022 to spring 2025, most states posted meaningful math gains, but reading largely stagnated; all seven states plus Washington, D.C., that improved reading had adopted phonics-based “science of reading” policies.
Louisiana stood out as the only state to exceed its 2019 reading level after mandating phonics-based materials in 2019, suggesting recovery may depend more on instructional changes than on pandemic catch-up alone.
If school phone bans aren't enough, what will reverse the decade-long decline in student achievement?
Beyond test scores, how can we truly measure if students are flourishing in the digital age?
Why are today's digitally-native students increasingly 'computer illiterate' despite constant screen time?
The 2026 Education Scorecard: Unpacking the U.S. Reading Recession and Paths to Recovery
Overview
The 2026 Education Scorecard has declared a 'reading recession' in the U.S., highlighting a widespread and urgent decline in reading scores. While some states have shown improvement by adopting the 'science of reading' method—which focuses on technical and phonetic skills—this approach alone may not be enough to solve the crisis. The report links the reading decline to a broader slowdown in learning, influenced by changes in educational practices and societal trends. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies that go beyond instructional reforms to address the complex factors driving the nation's literacy challenges.