In a shift away from the trend of decreasing literary assignments, a recent study by RAND has revealed that the majority of English teachers in the United States are assigning at least one full book to their students during the 2024-25 academic year. This finding stands in contrast to previous years, when many educators opted for shorter texts or online resources in response to declining reading habits and increasing curriculum demands. The study's results suggest that English teachers are making a concerted effort to prioritize traditional literary instruction, potentially as a means of fostering deeper understanding and critical thinking skills in students. As educators continue to grapple with the challenges of teaching reading and literature in the digital age, this trend may indicate a renewed emphasis on the importance of reading and analyzing complex texts.
Most English teachers assigned at least one full book in 2024-25, Rand finds K-12 Dive
