Teachers Lack Confidence in Fixing Reading Struggles

0:00On March 18, a new survey of 1,000 teachers shows that one-third lack confidence in fixing the country's reading struggles among kids. Most point to excessive screen time, with 86% naming it as a top issue, and 82% blaming weak support from parents at home. This comes amid a broader drop in reading enjoyment, hitting its lowest point in 20 years according to the National Literacy Trust. Fewer than half of parents now read daily with their children, a 15% point decline since 2019. Teachers also highlight kids' low motivation at 64%, poor focus at 74%, and missing books at home for 56%. Nearly all agree that just 15 minutes of daily reading can lift skills and performance. Meanwhile, 70% of teachers say parents should handle reading outside school, but 63% believe most parents do not grasp the benefits. Nearly 48% of schools build in dedicated reading time, often due to tight schedules.

1:01Experts urge better parent awareness and school resources to make daily reading routine, as lawmakers launch an inquiry into why pleasure reading is, fading across generations.