What's happened
Stanford's Educational Opportunity Project has found that, in most U.S. districts, reading scores have declined over the past decade, with 83% reporting lower reading results last year. Math has declined in about 70% of districts. The data underscore a long-term trend predating the pandemic and point toward a shift toward phonics-based instruction in some states.
What's behind the headline?
Why this matters
- The Stanford Education Scorecard shows a broad, district-by-district decline in reading over the past decade, with 83% of districts down in reading and 70% down in math.
- States that have emphasized phonics-based instruction have seen better reading results in some cases, suggesting method matters.
- The trend predates the pandemic, indicating structural factors in curricula and instruction.
What to watch
- Will more districts shift to phonics-focused curricula and targeted reading support?
- How will schools address the gap in reading while maintaining gains in math?
- Will device use and screen exposure in schools continue influencing reading engagement?
How we got here
Researchers have tracked district-level test scores through 2025, showing a multi-year slide in reading and a more mixed trend in math. Some districts (notably Modesto) have posted sustained gains in reading and math, while others lag behind pre-pandemic levels. The analysis emphasizes the role of instructional approaches, including a rise in phonics-based methods in improved districts.
Our analysis
New York Times: Claire Cain Miller reports that the new district-level data through 2025 shows widespread declines in reading and mixed results in math, with some districts improving where phonics reforms were adopted. The NY Post has highlighted cautions about long-term declines, the role of screen use, and the science of reading. The Independent and The Associated Press similarly note Modesto's local gains amid national declines.
Go deeper
- What district data should I watch next for progress on reading?
- Will phonics-based reforms expand nationwide?
- How might screen time policies in schools affect reading gains?
More on these topics
-
Stanford University - Private university in Stanford, California
Stanford University, officially Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university in Stanford, California. Stanford is ranked among the top five universities in the world in major education publications.
-
Louisiana - US State
Louisiana is a state in the Deep South region of the South Central United States. It is the 19th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states.
-
Alabama - US State
Alabama is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west.
-
Modesto - City in California
Modesto, officially the City of Modesto, is the county seat and largest city of Stanislaus County, California, United States. With a population of approximately 201,165 at the 2010 census, it is the 18th largest city in the state of California and forms p