As in recent years, there has been a slow but sudden decline in literacy rates and test scores among the 12th graders. States and school districts are working to improve early reading instruction, but so far, it has not resulted in national achievement gains.

When asking the 12th-grade AP literature teacher, Mr. Jenkins said,

Looking into the statistics, the reading scores of 12th graders have gradually gone down. In a study looking into the NAEP testing in 2005, the average score was 73% but at the end of 2024, that percentage had gone all the way down to 67%. This steady decline points to long-term issues that schools and communities cannot ignore.

But it is not all bad because there are many ways to improve literacy rates among 12 grade students when asking Ms. West, the 12th grade language arts teacher, said “

Experts suggest several possible causes for this sudden decline in literacy rates, such as reduced recreational reading and increased screen time among the newer generations. In many households, books compete with digital entertainment, making it more difficult for students to build the sustained focus needed to comprehend and analyze longer texts.

Ultimately, reversing the decline of literacy rates will require collaboration among teachers, families, and policymakers. Stronger curriculum design, encouragement of daily reading habits, and the support needed for struggling readers/students will help raise the percentage of literacy rates in the 12th grade.