{
  "id": 6483988,
  "title": "A grim report card for the world’s schools",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/a-grim-report-card-for-the-worlds-schools",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T22:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Vox",
    "slug": "vox",
    "url": "https://www.vox.com/today-explained-newsletter/502411/report-card-schools-ai-education-learning"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent report from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) reveals that students' reading, math, and science skills in OECD countries have reached their lowest levels since testing began in the early 2000s. Reading scores, in particular, have declined by over a year of education between 2015 and 2025, and in the United States, they fell by 14 percentage points between 2022 and 2025.\n\nThe report, based on over 760,000 students from 91 countries, suggests several factors contributing to the decline. These include the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and an attention crisis that makes it difficult for students, and adults, to focus on long texts. Additionally, the rise of generative AI has raised questions about its impact on learning.\n\nWhile 86% of students reported using AI at least occasionally, those who never use AI generally outperform those who do. However, weekly users who use AI to help them learn perform similarly to nonusers. Moreover, frequent AI users who are also taught AI literacy skills tend to score slightly higher. This indicates that the effects of AI on learning depend on how it is used and the level of AI literacy among students.\n\nThe report also highlights the potential benefits of AI in education, such as tools that reduce teacher workload and personalized tutoring chatbots. Furthermore, AI literacy skills are improving for some students, with one mother crediting an AI reading app for significantly improving her autistic son's communication.\n\nHowever, the implementation of AI in education remains a contentious issue. New York City's recent AI moratorium, which bans student-facing generative AI tools in public elementary and middle schools, is an example of the policy challenge educators and policymakers face. Chancellors like Kamar Samuels argue that a pause allows the district to evaluate which AI tools and use cases truly benefit students' learning.\n\nThe broader implications of AI in daily life also extend beyond education. As smartphones become more ubiquitous, everyday tasks increasingly require access to these devices. This can lead to issues of digital dependence and exclusion for elderly and low-income individuals who lack access to smartphones. Addressing these challenges may require a combination of public policy and consumer resistance to ensure equal access to technology.",
  "summary": "This story appeared in Today, Explained, a daily newsletter that helps you understand the most compelling news and stories of the day. A growing chorus of teachers, parents, and education experts is worried that American students can’t read. But, hear me out, silver lining here: At least the students are in good company. (Okay, maybe that’s […]",
  "key_points": [
    "PISA report shows OECD students' skills at lowest levels since early 2000s",
    "Reading scores declined by over a year of education between 2015 and 2025",
    "AI use and AI literacy impact learning outcomes positively or negatively"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}