College admissions strategist Greg Kaplan emphasizes the paramount importance of prioritizing long-term success over the allure of Ivy League prestige. However, a troubling trend has emerged in higher education: an alarming number of students are entering universities without the foundational reading skills required to navigate complex texts.
In the halls of elite universities like Columbia, Georgetown, and Stanford, a growing concern has emerged among professors: students are arriving woefully unprepared to engage with full-length books. These educators have witnessed firsthand the overwhelming struggles faced by undergraduates who lack the ability to decipher and comprehend extended written works.
The Decline of Reading: Elite Professors Alarm Over Students' Inability to Read Books
Columbia University humanities professor Nicholas Dames expressed astonishment when a first-year student admitted to having never read a complete book during her public high school education. This revelation has not been an isolated incident, prompting professors to question the state of literacy in secondary schools.
According to an EdWeek Research Center survey, only 17% of K-8 educators reported primarily teaching whole texts. Furthermore, nearly 25% indicated that reading entire books was no longer a primary focus of their curriculum. This shift away from classic literature is particularly prevalent in public schools, where standardized test prep often takes precedence over critical reading skills.
The Decline of Reading: Elite Professors Alarm Over Students' Inability to Read Books
In response to this decline, colleges have begun reducing their reading requirements, opting instead for shorter texts or excerpts. However, many professors mourn the loss of cultural enrichment that accompanies the reading of great works. UC Berkeley English professor Victoria Kahn highlights the role of reading in fostering empathy and expanding perspectives.
Psychologists attribute the decline of book reading to several factors, including the pervasive use of social media apps and the shifting values of students who prioritize job prospects over recreational activities. As a result, "being bored has become unnatural," according to Daniel Willingham, a psychologist at UVA.
The Decline of Reading: Elite Professors Alarm Over Students' Inability to Read Books
Private schools seem to have experienced this decline at a slower pace, leading to a widening reading-skills gap between students from different backgrounds. This disparity poses significant challenges for students from underrepresented communities who may not have the same access to rigorous literacy instruction.
To mitigate the issue, some colleges have expanded their reading lists to include works by non-White authors. While this step is lauded for its inclusivity, it has also contributed to the overall increase in reading material, which has proven overwhelming for some students.
The Decline of Reading: Elite Professors Alarm Over Students' Inability to Read Books
As educators grapple with this crisis, they are faced with a difficult task: finding a balance between maintaining academic rigor while adapting to the changing educational landscape. The future of college reading remains uncertain, but the impact of this decline on the intellectual and cultural development of students is undeniable.
