Literacy rates in the United States have been falling. The decline in reading and writing skills is a critical warning sign of issues with our education system. While many people blame COVID-19, parental failures, or even the students themselves, the real blame is on schools not making reading and writing a concern in education systems. Literacy rates are going down because education systems have not responded to the crisis the way they should have.

   First, school systems must take most of the responsibility for the literacy rate decline. For years, schools in the U.S. have been moving away from systematic phonics, which is a teaching method that has been proven to be essential in students’ ability to learn how to read. According to a website about phonics, “New York made national news in 2019 when it adopted the Units of Study curriculum, which de-emphasized phonics in favor of balanced literacy approaches. By 2022, reading scores had declined significantly, prompting widespread criticism from parents and literacy experts.” New York isn’t the only place that made the shift. Across the country, schools that removed phonics-based reading have been seeing scores drop (phonics.org).

  The pandemic did not create literacy issues; it exacerbated existing ones. Remote learning did disrupt younger students’ literacy development, but the pandemic cannot be entirely to blame. The school system was not prepared for a m

major change, and this lack of structure resulted in inequitable access to technology for students. According to UNESCO, “The massive reading disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the weakness and unpreparedness in today’s education systems worldwide. Millions of learners were excluded from education because of the flagrant digital divide” (unesco.org). Because of how school systems responded to the pandemic, some communities had access to tutors, technology, and stable internet, while others didn’t, which shows that educational opportunity was not fair. Schools could have provided a stable working environment at local libraries or parks for students to learn adequately.

   Also, the rise of technology plays a significant role. While different types of technology have been around for awhile, students are using it more and more frequently. They watch 30-second videos non stop and are consumed by social media, which can hurt their attention spans. True reading comprehension of complex texts requires lasting focus and concentration. According to The Guardian, many schools do not even assign full books anymore because students have shorter attention spans (theguardian.com). Rather than emphasizing the importance of complex reading, schools have given up and capitulated to decreasing attention spans.

   Developing strong literacy skills sets the foundation for academic success in every subject. English Teacher Richard Frink said, “It’s very important to be able to read and decipher different words and phrases throughout the rest of high school and as you move on to college and after high school. Students will need to slow down and understand words, especially when reading prompts.” Without these skills, students may not be able to communicate, analyze texts, or articulate their thoughts.

  Reading and writing are the foundation for all students. If school systems continue to ignore literacy rates, students will continue to fall behind. By placing the blame on parents, students, and even the pandemic instead of fixing the issue, schools are setting students up for failure. School systems should start reinforcing strong reading and writing instruction, providing resources, and focusing on strong reading and writing skills so literacy rates begin to surge once again.