A national analysis from researchers at Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth indicates that the U.S. is experiencing a prolonged 'reading recession,' which predates the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examined state test results from over 5,000 school districts across 38 states, revealing that reading scores have been declining for nearly a decade, with only five states plus the District of Columbia showing meaningful improvements between 2022 and 2025. The report highlights that most states have stagnated or worsened in reading outcomes, leaving students nearly half a grade level behind pre-pandemic reading performance.

The analysis attributes the decline to a combination of factors, including the weakening of test-based accountability, rising social media use affecting attention spans, and the impact of the pandemic. While states like Louisiana, Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana have implemented effective early literacy reforms, many others have not, resulting in uneven recovery across the country. The report emphasizes that reading is foundational for academic success, and failure to improve literacy skills could lead to long-term societal issues, including reduced job readiness and increased inequality.