A recent analysis of state test scores across 5,000 school districts in 38 states highlights a troubling trend in US education, termed a 'reading recession.' From 2022 to 2025, only five states plus the District of Columbia showed meaningful improvements in reading scores, with students remaining nearly half a grade level behind pre-pandemic levels. The National Assessment of Educational Progress indicates that reading scores have been declining since 2013 for eighth graders and 2015 for fourth graders. However, some states, such as Louisiana and Alabama, have seen progress through the adoption of phonics-based instruction, which emphasizes sounding out words rather than guessing based on context. Schools in these states have also implemented measures to screen for learning disabilities and provide additional support for struggling readers. In Modesto, California, for instance, a revamped reading instruction program has resulted in significant gains, translating to an extra 18 weeks of learning in math and 13 weeks in reading. Meanwhile, efforts to improve student attendance in districts like Detroit have also contributed to rising test scores. Despite these advancements, many students continue to test below proficiency levels, indicating that while progress is being made, there is still much work to be done to address educational disparities.