While teachers unions push politics, reading scores hit historic lows
America is experiencing a significant decline in reading proficiency among students, with only 31% of fourth graders reading at grade level. Despite this literacy crisis, teachers unions are focusing on political activism rather than addressing educational shortcomings. The situation has been exacerbated by the pandemic, which accelerated a pre-existing decline in student achievement that began around 2013.
- ▪Only 31% of fourth graders can read proficiently, with achievement gaps widening.
- ▪Reading scores for fourth and eighth graders have dropped two points since 2022.
- ▪The learning crisis predates COVID-19, having started around 2013.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
America is facing a reading catastrophe. Nearly five years after pandemic closures, only 31% of fourth graders can read proficiently, achievement gaps are widening, and student performance continues to slide. Yet instead of treating literacy as an emergency, many of the nation’s most powerful teachers unions remain consumed by political activism — organizing protests, advancing ideological causes, and turning classrooms into vehicles for social advocacy while millions of children struggle to read at grade level.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Washington Examiner.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Washington Examiner
