We are finally seeing the long-term effects of the literacy crisis. As a student in 2026, there has been so much talk about the decline in reading rates and children’s knowledge. The older generations see it—the dwindle in the desire to read. The teachers experience it everyday: more students using AI as a “tool” and the decline of lack of critical thinking and research that goes into scholars’ work.
The literacy crisis isn’t a parent, teacher, administration, or politician problem. It is a full system failure. Everyone plays a role in this issue. They pass off responsibility to everyone else but themselves. It is a complete mess. Statistics from the Nations report card say that, only 33% of 4th graders are at a NAEP Proficient level, 63% of 12 graders are not reading proficiently, and 52 million adults read below a 3rd-grade level. This isn’t the only place it’s been seen and reported.
Teachers are showcasing their students underperforming on social media. It’s in your own home, with your family attached to their electronics. To illustrate, one of my intimate family members has an issue with their ipad usage. It is noted by multiple others but isn’t addressed, being that it is easier to deal with a child who is constantly distracted. This has stumped him in the learning department because instead of physically flipping a page, or practicing his handwriting he’s constantly swiping his tablet, creating a disconnect between recognition and understanding.
Literacy is key in communication. The literacy crisis is an issue of comprehension. Students today aren’t proficient at reading at their own grade level. This became a problem when we became dependent on smartphones and increased the use of AI. For instance, I came to the realization that the US was in a crisis, when I was accused of using AI on a simple task. A teacher addressed my work afterhours. The fact that I used em dashes, tiered vocabulary, and articulation meant that it was noticeably not my work, but instead, the use of AI. The false accusations and diminishing attention span became problematic. The problems within the education system also include taking out funds.
The impact worsened once the covid-19 pandemic hit says The Annie. E Casey Foundation. Most of us were only kids when this began happening. Adults aren’t working towards fixing it, so it is up to our generation. My motivation for enlightening the readers on this topic is to encourage them to regain momentum. This is huge, but not irreversible.
A good solution to the issue is to encourage our scholars to advance their education outside of school, such as going to local libraries, taking extra classes, or simply reading for a few minutes each day to work on critical thinking. In this case, advancing my education by getting into reading has deepened my vocabulary, and increased my brain activity. A quote from the 95 percent group is, “When we read fiction, the brain actively stimulates the consciousness of another person, including those whom we would never otherwise even imagine knowing.” Even with the use of one of these methods, I have been captivated by the brain’s neurological way to live these stories.
A big problem that comes with the literacy crisis is the fact that we are so accustomed to the use of social media and technology that we forget how to entertain ourselves without it. Parents should step it up, and enforce screen time limits during the school year. Or if you are old enough to decide for yourself, decide to ease your mind. Use alternatives to stimulate the brain, and strive to educate yourself.
Lianna Reyes – Trinity High School – DMSF Class of 2030
Photo Credit: JillWellington – Pixabay