By Jacob Swoboda
Executive Summary:
Students across the country lack basic literacy skills — nearly half of U.S. citizens do not read beyond a middle-school level. When comparing literacy rates internationally, the United States does not make the top 30. While the attention span of K-12 students dwindles, teachers are increasingly tasked with keeping them engaged. Outside distractions have also reduced the amount of time students spend reading. Designing lesson plans that reflect students’ needs and interests is vital to improving engagement: selecting appropriate books, implementing change at the state-level, and evolving teaching strategies can help students get back on track.
Literacy Statistics:
The United States ranks 36th globally in literacy. According to the National Literacy Institute, only 79% of U.S. adults are literate, and 54% read at or below a sixth-grade level.
Literacy is closely linked to numerous societal issues; for example, 85% of juveniles in the criminal justice system have a reading disability, and 60% of incarcerated Americans can’t read, proving that poverty and literacy are strongly connected. In rural regions with limited educational opportunities, the need to earn income as soon as possible often outweighs the benefits of developing literacy skills. Each year, illiteracy costs American taxpayers an estimated $20 billion dollars.
Classroom Engagement:
According to Education Week, which cited a survey conducted by the University of Florida, pleasure reading has dropped by 40% over the last two decades. The rise of social media, smartphones, and video games has contributed to this decrease. Given students’ declining attention spans, nearly half of U.S. states have implemented phone bans. The internet has shifted students’ perception of schooling. In the past, school was the primary source of new knowledge. In our current climate, students can instantly access information on their phones, which diminishes their value of learning in the classroom.
Additionally, assigning overly rigorous or unengaging texts has discouraged many students from developing a love of reading. Instead, teachers should select texts that capture students’ attention and spark their interest. One genre that consistently appeals to teenagers is dystopian fiction, says Erich May in his article titled “Stop Assigning Boring Books in English Class.”
Teachers aim to help their students develop strong reading comprehension skills that they will rely on for the rest of their lives. By choosing engaging texts, teachers can increase students’ comprehension without a resentment towards reading.
Trevor Muir describes today’s students as the “why” generation, because they question the purpose of activities they will never use in the real world. Rising tuitions, student loan debt, and lack of post grad opportunities have further discouraged students from fully engaging with their education starting from a young age. However, teachers can take intentional steps to foster engagement. One example is to incorporate relevant topics into schooling activities. Additionally, using interactive tools during class allows students to have friendly competition with their peers, which, in turn, pushes them to grasp the material better; one such example is “fishbowl discussions,” which means that instead of passively listening to lectures, students will participate in small group discussions, share ideas, and switch roles to take notes.
ELA Success:
The state of Massachusetts consistently ranks among the top states in K-12 education. Its success can be attributed to the implementation of state-wide standards. In 2011, the state introduced a rubric for high-quality ELA and Math standards. Teachers across the state were evaluated based on their students’ academic growth. In 2012, Massachusetts spent more money on education in impoverished areas to help close achievement gaps. By 2022, the strong foundation of educational standards, teacher encouragement, and student-focused support systems allowed the state to retain some of the highest ELA and Math scores in the country, despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic.
Policy Recommendations:
- Create a reading list supported by student feedback at district or statewide levels to ensure engagement in English classes.
- School districts should maintain their stance on “no phone policies” and do continuous training with staff to implement techniques for student engagement.
- Continue to spend money across the state for the equal benefit of all school districts. Implement statewide standards for ELA that aim for quality and student growth.
Works Cited:
for, P. (2024, May 6). Lessons from a Leading State – Opportunity For All. Opportunity for All. https://opportunityforallmi.org/lessons-from-leading-states/
May, E. (2026, January 16). Stop Assigning Boring Books in English Class (Opinion). Education Week.https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-stop-assigning-boring-books-in-english-class/2026/01
Mendez-Padilla, B. (2025, May 21). As attention spans shrink, 4 ways educators can keep students engaged. K-12 Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/news/attention-spans-shrink-4-ways-educators-keep-students-engaged/748722/
National Literacy Institute. (2024). 2024-2025 literacy statistics | national literacy. National Literacy. https://www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com/2024-2025-literacy-statistics
Reading for pleasure in free fall: New study finds 40% drop over two decades. (2025, August 21). Ufl.edu. https://news.ufl.edu/2025/08/reading-for-pleasure-study/
Students Haven’t Lost Focus. They’ve Lost the Reason to Care. (2025). Trevormuir.com. https://www.trevormuir.com/blog/attention-span
