The Decline in Reading Comprehension Among American High School Students: Educational Challenges and the Path Forward - Classrooms and the Collapse of Reading Comprehension in the Smartphone Era

Brazilian economic media outlet InfoMoney (Reuters distribution) reported that reading skills among U.S. high school seniors (12th grade) have fallen to their lowest level in over 30 years, with more than 30% scoring "below basic." This is based on the 2024 NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress), where the average reading score for 12th graders dropped by 3 points compared to 2019 and by 10 points compared to 1992. In mathematics, 45% scored "below basic," and in 8th-grade science, 38% fell into the "below basic" category. These declines are significant among lower-performing students, suggesting a decrease in learning opportunities, such as increased absenteeism. On social media, practical proposals such as "rebuilding the basics (phonics, math automation)," "improving attendance," "regulating smartphones," and "expanding high-quality tutoring" are being discussed, while there is also strong caution against the political use of these scores. It is important to note that NAEP's "Proficient" is not synonymous with the "grade-level proficiency" of state tests. To recover educational performance, it is necessary to simultaneously advance attendance, reading habits, investment in supplementary education, and scientific improvements in teaching methods.