TRANSCRIPT:
For South Carolina Public Radio, I'm Dr. Rénard Harris from the College of Charleston. This is Teachable Moments, a minute of education for students and parents.
According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, reading scores for American students have hit a new low. The latest assessment reveals that 40% of 4th graders and 33% of 8th graders scored below the basic level in reading—the highest in decades. Experts say the major culprits are learning losses from the pandemic, chronic absenteeism and the rise of screen time.
My colleague, Ian O’Byrne, professor of literacy education, says the focus needs to be on foundational literacy skills. Educators need to prioritize structured reading time, reduce screen time, and encourage engagement with books and critical thinking.
For the College of Charleston, I’m Dr. Rénard Harris.
