Even before the pandemic, researchers were noticing a drop in reading and math scores at schools around the country. The expected rebound following the end of COVID has been slight and troubling.
“There is wide variation across school districts in achievement growth since the pandemic. Some districts have seen test scores rise rapidly since 2022, while test scores in other districts have stagnated or declined,” said Doug Staiger, Professor of Economics, Dartmouth College.
Experts are placing the blame for the decline in a variety of areas, including increased screen time, shorter attention spans, and less long-form reading.
Students’ test scores had been increasing since 1990 — then abruptly stopped in the mid-2010s. That coincided with two events: an easing of federal school accountability under No Child Left Behind, which was replaced in 2015, and the rise of smartphones, social media and personalized school laptops.
“I cannot be more emphatic: This is an enormous problem that’s not getting enough attention,” said Nat Malkus, a senior fellow studying education policy at the American Enterprise Institute.
The Charles Town Library, and all libraries, both community and school libraries, can play a powerful role in helping communities recover from an “education recession” (a decline in learning levels caused by disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic). They are uniquely positioned as free, accessible, and trusted public spaces.
Libraries are more than book-lending institutions—they are critical education recovery hubs. By providing access, support, technology, and community-based learning opportunities, they help close gaps, rebuild skills, and promote long-term academic success.
Among the many ways we are providing positive support here at the Charles Town Library involves Early Learning efforts. Our Storytime programs help build language skills and we talk with parents about how to read to children that helps build the foundation of a strong reader.
Our upcoming summer reading program is a great way to maintain the skills developed by a child during the school year so they can start back at the same level or better.
Watch for our continuing efforts for students of all ages and adults to rebuild the skills that make for a healthy and productive community.
HOW LIBRARIES CAN HELP TO RAISE READING AND MATH SCORES
Overall methods of turning the tide of the education recession
