School‑sourced data shows a sharp drop in daily reading among 13‑year‑olds, slashing the rate by almost half since 2012. The NCES report, covering over 30,000 students, records that only 37% of 9‑year‑olds read for pleasure almost every day in 2025, a steep decline from 42% in 2020.

A 2024 study links rising screen time—over four hours per day for many teens—to the slump in reading habits. The decline in reading correlates with lower scores on standardized tests, especially for students who skip daily reading. State budgets now funnel money into early‑childhood literacy programs, a move that has begun to lift younger students’ scores.

Educators argue that robust reading skills underpin success across subjects. 53% of teens who read daily outperform peers who don’t, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. Schools must re‑balance technology use and reinforce reading routines to reverse the trend.

Policy shifts have already emerged, with several states proposing bills to curb in‑school device use, aiming to restore time for traditional literacy activities.