Universities See Decline in Students Reading Long Essays 2026

Universities are discovering something alarming: fewer students can read long essays without losing concentration. A recent opinion piece by literature professor Tyler Jagt highlights that many of his students struggle to follow a 20-page article, blaming AI and smartphones for the decline.

This isn't just a anecdotal complaint. National assessment data shows reading scores at a historic low, raising questions about how technology is reshaping attention spans and academic expectations.

Why Long-Form Reading Is Declining Among University Students

Professor Jagt has assigned the same 20-page reading task for five years. This year, none of his rhetoric and writing students finished it—and these were students who had passed university entrance exams, not remedial learners.

One student admitted the text was too long and that they kept losing track of the argument. Jagt acknowledges that complaints about student reading skills are common among faculty, but this time he believes the problem is more serious and backed by data.

The Role of AI and Smartphones

Jagt points to artificial intelligence and mobile devices as key culprits. Constant notifications and the ease of getting instant answers from AI tools may be eroding the patience needed for deep reading.

When students can ask a chatbot to summarize a text, the incentive to wrestle with complex arguments diminishes. Over time, this reduces their ability to sustain attention on lengthy material.

The Data Behind the Reading Crisis

The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found that 12th-grade students scored the lowest in reading since the assessment began in 1992. Only one-third reached the basic level, meaning most likely cannot draw conclusions from what they read.

This isn't just about test scores—it signals a broader shift in how students engage with information. If they can't extract meaning from a 20-page article, how will they handle academic research or complex workplace documents?

Implications for Higher Education

Universities may need to adapt their teaching methods. Some professors are already breaking readings into smaller chunks or using multimedia to maintain engagement. But is that a solution or a workaround that lowers standards?

Others argue that the focus should be on teaching students how to read deeply again, perhaps through guided exercises and digital detox strategies.

What This Means for Students and Society

The decline in long-form reading has consequences beyond the classroom. Critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to understand nuanced arguments all depend on sustained reading.

In a world saturated with short-form content, the ability to focus on a lengthy text is becoming a competitive advantage. Students who master it will be better prepared for advanced degrees and knowledge-based jobs.

• Reading scores are at a 30-year low, with only one-third of 12th graders reaching basic proficiency.
• Professors report that students struggle to finish 20-page readings, even at selective universities.
• AI and smartphones are cited as major distractions that shorten attention spans.
• Deep reading is essential for critical thinking and academic success.
• Universities may need to explicitly teach focus and reading strategies.

How Educators Are Responding

Some universities are introducing workshops on digital minimalism and focused reading. Others are redesigning syllabi to include shorter texts, but with more in-depth analysis.

There's also a growing movement to ban AI tools in certain courses to force students to engage with original texts. The debate is far from settled, but the urgency is clear.

A Comparison of Reading Habits Across Generations

These figures are illustrative based on reported trends, but they highlight a steady decline in sustained reading across generations. The background to this story is set out in International Student Decline Hits Australian Universities Hard. A related thread runs through Humanities Cuts in Universities Threaten Academic Diversity. Earlier coverage in Naplan Results 2025: Reading and Writing Decline in Australian shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

As AI tools become more integrated into education, the pressure on traditional reading skills will likely increase. Watch for new pedagogical approaches that aim to balance technology use with deep reading practice. A closer look at the same subject appears in Naplan Results 2025: Reading and Writing Decline, One in Three. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Naplan Results Show Reading and Writing Decline Across Australian. The same theme surfaces in Mexico University Resit Exam: 58,000 Students Face Cheating, which takes a different angle.

Also, keep an eye on NAEP scores in the coming years to see if interventions make a difference. The stakes are high: a generation that can't read long texts may struggle to compete in a global economy. Context on how this played out before sits in A-Level Grade Surge Leaves Students Without University Places. A companion piece, Guardian University Guide 2027 Rankings: Top UK Universities, approaches the same subject from another angle.

FAQ