Reading Recession Persists, Some Districts Thrive

The 2026 Education Scorecard shows U.S. students remain about half a grade level behind pre-pandemic reading scores, while math scores have inched upward. Only five states plus the District of Columbia recorded meaningful reading growth between 2022 and 2025. Amid this slide, 108 districts—including West Allegheny, PA—showed gains in both subjects.

Reading, math scores are sliding nationwide. These Pa. school districts are bucking the trend

Reading scores have fallen steadily since 2013 for eighth-graders and since 2015 for fourth-graders, a trend called a “reading recession.” The pandemic acted as a “mudslide” that deepened seven years of erosion, Thomas Kane says. Analysts also cite the 2013 fade-out of No Child Left Behind accountability and rising teen social-media use as possible contributors.

Kids are in a ‘reading recession,’ as test scores continue to decline

National reading scores sit about 0.5 grade-level below 2019; math scores are roughly 0.1 grade-level above. Pennsylvania ranks 27th in reading, 21st in math; Wisconsin lags at 30th and 33rd. Only seven states—Louisiana, Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and two others—mandated phonics-based curricula and saw reading gains. Chronic absenteeism fell nationally but remains six points above pre-pandemic levels.

Kids are in a ‘reading recession,’ as test scores continue to decline

• West Allegheny (PA): reading +0.5 grade, math +0.75 grade since 2019, driven by full-day kindergarten, phonics-based instruction, and data-informed planning.

Reading, math scores are sliding nationwide. These Pa. school districts are bucking the trend

• Detroit Public Schools (MI): adopted science-of-reading practices in 2016; by 2025 three-quarters of kindergarteners read at or above grade level, supported by daily literacy blocks and attendance incentives.

Reading, math scores are sliding nationwide. These Pa. school districts are bucking the trend

Districts focus on early literacy, phonics instruction, extended time, individualized “WIN” blocks, attendance incentives, and data-driven planning.

Reading, math scores are sliding nationwide. These Pa. school districts are bucking the trend

Harvard’s Thomas Kane calls the pandemic a “mudslide” that deepened a pre-existing slide. West Allegheny superintendent Jerri Lippert credits high-quality teachers and early-literacy focus. Stanford’s Sean Reardon cites the 1990s-2013 math surge and urges a return to that growth. Kane adds federal relief was crucial for high-poverty districts.

Reading, math scores are sliding nationwide. These Pa. school districts are bucking the trend

Science-of-reading reforms are not a panacea; Florida, Arizona, and Nebraska altered curricula yet continued to see score declines. Critics argue that without complementary supports—such as attendance programs and family engagement—phonics instruction alone cannot reverse the recession.

Kids are in a ‘reading recession,’ as test scores continue to decline

The Scorecard omits 12 states due to data gaps; district baselines vary, creating uncertainty about national recovery. Rankings differ from NAEP.

NPR

• “You have to look both below and above where you might have room for improvement,” — Jerri Lippert, Superintendent, West Allegheny

Reading, math scores are sliding nationwide. These Pa. school districts are bucking the trend

• “The pandemic was the mudslide that had followed seven years of steady erosion in achievement,” — Thomas Kane, Harvard professor

Reading, math scores are sliding nationwide. These Pa. school districts are bucking the trend

• “We can provide all of these supports, but at the same time, hold kids to high expectations,” — Mark Sullivan, Superintendent, Birmingham

Kids are in a ‘reading recession,’ as test scores continue to decline

Pennsylvania’s 2027-2028 budget will require evidence-based reading curricula and three-time K-3 screenings. Federal relief, though dwindling, remains vital for high-poverty districts. Researchers expect broader phonics adoption and attendance drives to narrow the reading gap.

Reading, math scores are sliding nationwide. These Pa. school districts are bucking the trend