education
The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books
To read a book in college, it helps to have read a book in high school.
TL;DR
- Professors at elite universities report that students are increasingly unable to read entire books, a skill underdeveloped in their K-12 education.
- Changes in educational initiatives, such as No Child Left Behind and Common Core, have shifted focus from full texts to informational passages and standardized test preparation.
- Smartphones and constant digital distractions are cited as major factors hindering students' ability to focus on reading.
- A significant percentage of educators now assign fewer whole texts, opting for excerpts, short stories, or supplementary materials.
- Some professors are lowering reading expectations and assigning fewer pages, while others are adjusting curricula to focus on shorter works.
- The decline in book reading is seen as a potential threat to the publishing industry and the cultivation of empathy and critical thinking through deep reading.
- Young adult literature is increasingly cited by students as their primary reading experience, though some professors see potential in these texts to engage students.