There is a Reading Crisis. It Cannot Be Denied. The National and State Data Tell Us We Have a Problem That Must Be Solved in Reading and Math. Virginia Students Are Falling Behind.
The recently released National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data cannot be ignored. The data shows that the reading scores of 12th graders are the worst in three decades. About a third of the nation’s 12th graders who were tested last year did not have basic reading skills.
In math, almost half of the students who took the test scored below the basic level. Our 12th graders are leaving high school without the basic skills they need to be successful in college and the workforce.
Experts point to the decline being caused by the pandemic, a lack of reading printed materials, overuse of devices, social media and video games. Not to mention, a focus on teaching children to read that doesn’t align with the evidence for what works.
The recently released national and state data cannot be ignored. 43% of Virginia’s third graders cannot read proficiently (2024-25 Reading SOL). Our kids are struggling. Failing to become a proficient reader by the end of high school means a person will continue to struggle in higher education, the workforce and life.
The good news is that Virginia has the tools in place to turn things around for our kids. There are glimmers of hope in the data reported from the first year of implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act and the use of the Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS). The screener system helps teachers identify students’ level of risk(high, medium or low), reduce the number of children with reading difficulties through early diagnosis and intervention. All students in the high risk band receive intervention services in addition to regular classroom instruction. The VALLSS for grades 4-8 is designed to provide a better understanding of reading difficulties and guide instruction to improve reading outcomes.
We must do everything we can to help our schools, teachers and students. Other states are seeing improvement with continued investment and taking the long view to improve reading outcomes. It will take time, focus and years of increased investment. Virginia must stay focused and committed to our mission to help every student read by third grade. Our students deserve nothing less.