Teachers React: The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books - Part 2 [S7 EP. 251]

Listen to the full episode below:

Did you catch last week’s episode? If not, listen here! In that conversation, we gave our initial reaction to the Atlantic article, The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books. Need the TL;DR? The article claims Gen Z is reading the fewest amount of books in recent history and some of the adverse effects of shifting to skill-focused learning. Today, we’re continuing the discussion, with a focus on college readiness.  

The article shares the perspective of college professors who are finding their students unable to keep up with the reading. So what does that say about our high schoolers? Well, it’s not just about students struggling with books! It’s about an education system that’s set them up to prioritize achievement over learning. In this episode, we talk about the race to college, the stress that students are under, and why so many of them feel disconnected from reading.

Instead of pointing fingers, let’s figure out how educators can meet students where they are, spark their curiosity, and make reading feel less like a chore and more like an experience. We think through some practical strategies to bring reading back to life in the classroom (and have lots of episodes linked below on how to help achieve this). We’re definitely at a turning point in the history of education - and it’s not all doom and gloom! We truly feel that we’re all going to come out better on the other side of it all.

To continue this conversation, join us in Happy Hour, where we’re working together to plan and put things into practice!

topics discussed:

  • The out-of-control race to get into college

  • Pressure of post-secondary plans

  • Are students actually prepared once they get to college?

  • The value placed on “testable skills”

  • Kids stretching themselves too far to take AP courses for financial reasons

  • Important conversations to have with our students and our own children

  • Blame being put on high schools for why students are struggling with reading

  • Practicing what you value

more resources:

check out other bnt episodes:

More about Brave New Teaching:

Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!

Tune in on your favorite podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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