Kids can’t read anymore. Does it matter? (with author Jason Reynolds)

Kids can’t read anymore. Does it matter? (with author Jason Reynolds)

From NO SUCH THING by iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope

April 15, 2026 · 59 min · Episode 59

About this episode

The episode discusses the alleged reading crisis in schools with insights from author Jason Reynolds and other educators.

Are we in the midst of a reading crisis? News outlets are constantly reporting on the death of reading . School test scores by measures like the “Nation’s Report Card” say math and literacy levels are down to their lowest rates since the early 1990s. Schools aren’t even assigning full books in class anymore. We talk to children’s book author Jason Reynolds, an active teacher in Chicago public schools, and a professor who’s looked into the actual research and says the literacy crisis doesn’t even exist .  Our guests this week are author  Jason Reynolds (buy his new book Soundtrack here ), professor Paul Thomas , and teacher Kelsey Clodfelter . For links to research and more, check out our  newsletter .  If you liked this episode, check out: Do audiobooks count as reading? and Should schools ban phones?  Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at  mannynoahdevan@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286 EXCLUSIVE  NordVPN Deal ➼ http://www.nordvpn.com/nst   Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Guest: Jason Reynolds

Topics covered

  • reading crisis
  • literacy
  • education
  • children's literature
  • school performance

Keywords

  • reading crisis
  • literacy levels
  • school test scores
  • children's books
  • education research

Sponsors

NordVPN

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Chicago public schools

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