US reading scores hit near-25

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Published: 2026-09-09T02:45:22.708Z • Permanent link

US reading scores have hit a near-25-year low in the latest global assessment, sparking concerns about the future of literacy and education. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the average reading score of 15-year-old students in the United States has dropped to 265, which is the lowest score since the program began in 2000. The score has declined by 15 points since the last PISA assessment in 2018.

The decline in reading scores is attributed to a combination of factors, including decreased funding for schools, inadequate teacher training, and the increasing reliance on technology in education. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has also reported a decline in reading scores among American students over the past decade. The NAEP's 2022 report found that only 34% of fourth-grade students scored proficient or above in reading, down from 41% in 2012.

PISA's director, Andreas Schleicher, has attributed the decline in reading scores to the "rise of a knowledge gap" between developed and developing countries. Schleicher notes that while the United States has a strong economy and high standard of living, its education system is struggling to keep pace with the changing needs of the 21st century. The US Department of Education has responded by launching a series of initiatives aimed at improving teacher training and increasing funding for schools.

The decline in reading scores has significant implications for companies that rely on education and literacy as a key component of their business model. Companies such as Pearson, McGraw-Hill, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, which provide educational materials and services, may see a decline in demand for their products. Research communities and academic institutions that focus on education and literacy may also be affected, as the decline in reading scores raises questions about the effectiveness of current educational approaches.

The decline in reading scores also has broader implications for the global economy, as a literate workforce is critical to driving innovation and economic growth. Markets such as the stock market and the bond market, which are heavily influenced by economic indicators, may see a decline in investor confidence as a result of the decline in reading scores. Policy environments such as the US education system, which sets standards for education, may also be forced to re-examine their approaches to improving literacy and education.

The decline in reading scores is part of a larger trend of declining educational outcomes in developed countries. In 2019, the OECD reported that 17% of 15-year-old students in the United States scored below the level required to be proficient in reading, compared to 13% in 2000. This decline is part of a broader pattern of declining educational outcomes in countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea, which have seen significant declines in reading scores in recent years.