Internet State

Reading scores among 15-year-olds in the United States have declined by 14 points, reaching their lowest level in 25 years, according to the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) released by the OECD. In the US, 25.7 percent of students were classified as low performers in reading, while only 13.3 percent were top performers, highlighting significant inequality compared to other nations. The US Education Department has spent over $3 trillion since its establishment in 1979, yet the White House argues that federal funding has not effectively improved standardized test scores, prompting calls for a shift towards state-led initiatives and “school choice.”

England's teenagers excelled in the latest OECD Pisa assessment, ranking in the top 10 globally in maths, reading, and science, while 760,000 15-year-olds were tested across 91 countries, with most members showing declines in results. Notable improvements were seen in science and reading, with England performing better than countries like Australia, the US, and France, but the OECD warned of a concerning decline in reading skills across its member nations, where average scores dropped by double digits since 2018. The OECD's analysis also pointed to deeper structural issues in education systems, attributing some performance declines to digital distractions and changes in attitudes toward reading, suggesting many 15-year-olds were achieving levels previously expected of younger students.

The 2025 PISA study indicates a significant decline in student performance globally, with reading scores dropping by 28 points in OECD countries and 16 points in others, while math scores decreased by 22 points on average in OECD nations. Approximately 29% of 15-year-olds in OECD countries are now classified as "low performers," struggling with basic skills across reading, math, and science. Notably, reading scores have fallen by an average of 25 points in the OECD, equivalent to a year of learning, with the most drastic declines observed in Iceland and Slovenia, who experienced reductions exceeding 50 points.

The 2025 PISA study, released on September 8, shows a significant decline in reading and mathematics skills among students globally, with OECD countries experiencing a 28-point drop in reading and a 22-point drop in math over the past decade. Approximately 29% of 15-year-olds in OECD countries are now classified as "low performers," struggling with basic skills necessary for daily tasks, and reading scores fell by an average of 25 points, equivalent to about one year of learning. The report highlights that the most substantial declines in reading occurred in countries like Iceland and Slovenia, with improvements noted only in five countries, including Zambia, which saw a 50-point increase.