He found himself more interested in the world outside the classroom, in sports, video games, and hanging out with friends. He was a “digital native,” comfortable navigating the digital landscape, and found traditional texts like novels and essays to be cumbersome and slow. Stanislawski’s experience is not unique.

This shift in teaching practices has led to a decline in the experience of reading for pleasure and a potential loss of valuable skills. Reading novels, especially those with complex plots and characters, can foster critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human condition. For example, consider the classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. This book explores themes of racism, prejudice, and social injustice.

“They’re not interested in the classics, they’re not interested in the poetry, they’re not interested in the history. They’re interested in the things that are relevant to their lives.”

This statement highlights a crucial aspect of education: the need to connect learning to students’ lived experiences and interests. It emphasizes that simply presenting students with traditional texts and expecting them to engage with them is not an effective strategy.

The school’s reading program is designed to foster a love of reading and to develop critical thinking skills. The program is based on the belief that reading is essential for success in life. The program emphasizes the importance of reading for pleasure, as well as for academic purposes. Students are encouraged to read books that are both entertaining and thought-provoking, and to engage in discussions about the books they read.

Teachers say the slide has its roots in the COVID-19 crisis. “There was a trend, it happened when COVID hit, to stop reading full-length novels because students were in trauma; we were in a pandemic. The problem is we haven’t quite come back from that,” said Kristy Acevedo, who teaches English at a vocational high school in New Bedford, Massachusetts. This year, she said she won’t accept that students are too distracted to read. She plans to teach time-management strategies and to use only paper and pencils for most of class time. Other teachers say the trend stems from standardized testing and the influence of education technology. Digital platforms can deliver a complete English curriculum, with thousands of short passages aligned to state standards — all without having to assign an actual book.

This is a critical question that needs to be addressed. The current system is flawed because it focuses on standardized tests, which don’t accurately reflect the true learning outcomes of students. Standardized tests are often criticized for their narrow focus on specific skills and knowledge, and they fail to capture the full spectrum of student learning.

This statement highlights a shift in how people consume information, particularly in the English classroom. The traditional model of long, dense texts is being challenged by the digital age, where shorter, more interactive formats are preferred. For instance, consider the rise of online articles, podcasts, and social media posts.

“You’ve got to keep them all spinning, you can’t let any of them fall.

This statement reflects a growing trend in our society where the value of productivity and efficiency is prioritized over the value of reflection and contemplation. This shift in values has led to a decline in the ability to think critically and creatively. The constant bombardment of information and the pressure to be productive have created a culture of instant gratification and superficiality. The decline in thinking time is also linked to the rise of social media.

“It’s funny,” he said. “Many students are saying that it’s the first time in a long time they’ve read a full book.” ___