Why Are U.S. Literacy Rates Declining?

Explore the complex factors behind declining literacy rates in the United States through this 26-minute educational discussion from Harvard University. Examine how curricula design, teacher training programs, and classroom methodologies impact student reading outcomes as policy expert Martin West, teacher educator Pamela Mason, and reading researcher Phil Capin analyze current data and research findings. Discover evidence-based strategies and best practices that educators and policymakers can implement to improve reading instruction and support struggling students. Learn about the intersection of educational policy, teacher preparation, and classroom implementation in addressing one of America's most pressing educational challenges. Gain insights into how different stakeholders - from researchers to practitioners - are working to identify solutions that can help reverse the troubling trend in student literacy performance.