‘A Crisis’: Less Kids Reading For Fun Amid ‘Decline’ In Test Scores

The United States is facing a new “crisis” as fewer children are reading for fun amid a “decline” in test scores in subjects like mathematics and reading.

A report released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for the 2022-2023 school year showed that 14% of students liked to read for fun, marking a 3% decrease from 2020, and a 13% decrease from 2012.

This decrease in reading comes as test scores in reading among 13-year-olds dropped 4%, and test scores in mathematics dropped 9% from 2020, according to the report.

“The 2023 average scores in reading declined compared to 2020 for many student groups reported by NAEP; for example, scores were lower for both male and female 13-year-olds, for students eligible and not eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and for students attending schools in the Northeast and Midwest regions,” the report said.

The report also cited how mathematics scores had declined compared to that of scores in 2020, for most student groups such as “Black, Hispanic, and White” 13-year-old students who attended schools in all sorts of regions, were eligible or not eligible for the NSLP, and had parents with different levels of 🎓Education, according to the report.

Sasha Quinton, the Executive Vice President and President for Scholastic School Reading Events told