Kids Struggling to Read, Teachers Walking Away

Teachers Leaving the Classroom

More and more teachers are leaving their jobs. Some say they are burned out. Others say kids don’t want to read or learn. One teacher shared online that her students refused to read any books—even when the school gave them audio versions. She said many kids are graduating high school even though they read years below their grade level.

The Reading Problem

In some major metropolitan areas and cities, the reading crisis is especially visible. Reports show many students are behind by several grade levels. In Baltimore, some high schools had almost no students reading at grade level. In Houston, library programs were cut in some schools, making it harder for kids to access books. In Memphis and Atlanta, many teens are still struggling to read while being promoted to the next grade.

Technology Taking Over

Some teachers say technology is part of the problem. Kids now use iPads, phones, and even AI to get answers fast. This means they don’t practice reading or writing like before. A former teacher explained that students have short attention spans and don’t know how to focus on written work because of too much screen time.

Reading Skills Are Falling Behind

• In the U.S. in 2024, only 31% of fourth graders and 30% of eighth graders met “proficient” reading standards on a national test (NAEP)
• No state or city saw reading score improvements from 2022 to 2024
• Nationwide, just 35% of 12th graders were considered proficient readers—lowest since NAEP began testing in 1992.

Why Teachers Quit

Across the country, there are more than 45,000 unfilled teacher jobs. Combined with teachers working without full certification, this adds up to at least 1 in 8 school teaching positions facing gaps. There are many reasons teachers are leaving:

• Burnout – Teachers are tired and stressed out. Almost half say they feel burned out all the time.
• No Support – Teachers often feel they are not trusted to do their jobs. Schools tell them exactly what to teach and how to teach it.
• Behavior Problems – Phones, disrespect, and lack of parent support make classrooms harder to manage.

The Impact on Kids

When students don’t learn to read well, it affects everything. Reading is the base of all learning. Without it, kids struggle in every subject. Some schools are even cutting libraries, which makes the reading problem worse, especially in communities that already don’t have enough resources.

What Needs to Change

• Focus on Reading – Bring back more books, handwriting, and libraries.
• Support Teachers – Give teachers more respect, trust, and better working conditions.
• Fix Burnout – Lower class sizes, pay teachers fairly, and give them mental health support.

Closing Thoughts

The problem isn’t just one teacher or one school—it’s across the country. Kids are falling behind in reading, and teachers are leaving in big numbers. If schools don’t make changes soon, both students and teachers will keep paying the price.