{
  "id": 6726653,
  "title": "Kids' Test Scores Hit Record Lows—One Change at Home Stood Out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/kids-test-scores-hit-record-lows-one-change-at-home-stood-out",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-11T08:03:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/kids-test-scores-hit-record-lows-change-home-stood-out-12427209"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A worrying pattern is emerging in top-tier countries as international test scores in math, reading, and science have plummeted to record lows, according to the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results. Conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), over 760,000 15-year-olds from numerous countries participated in the assessment. The findings reveal that average scores in these key subjects have hit their lowest points ever among developed economies.\n\nCountries like Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China emerged as top performers, while Estonia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand also displayed high scores. However, the most striking insight came from a survey conducted alongside the tests, which showed a decline in family engagement with children's education. Almost every participating country reported a decrease in parents discussing schoolwork with their children and showing interest in their learning.\n\nExperts emphasize that the level of family involvement directly impacts academic success, with students whose parents asked about their school work at least once a week scoring approximately 35 points higher in the science assessment than those with less engaged families. This gap equates to over one and a half years of learning, even after considering socioeconomic disparities.\n\nEmily Levy, a learning specialist and founder of EBL Coaching, suggests various habits parents can adopt to boost academic performance. Asking pointed questions about schoolwork, such as \"What did you work on in math today?\" or \"Did you learn any new vocabulary words in Spanish?\" rather than general inquiries like \"How was school?\" can help foster stronger learning outcomes. Creating consistent routines at home, including a designated homework space, a regular study schedule, and structured breaks, is also recommended.\n\nMoreover, the study highlights the influence of digital distractions on learning. Over one-quarter of students in high-income countries reported that their classmates were frequently distracted by digital devices during science lessons. Countries with stricter cellphone policies in schools generally reported lower levels of classroom distraction. The relationship between technology and academic achievement is complex, with students in countries where digital devices are used for about two to three hours daily in school generally scoring higher. However, performance tends to decline beyond that threshold.\n\nInterestingly, the report also found that greater use of artificial intelligence tools was linked to lower test scores. Students who reported never using AI chatbots performed better than those who used them regularly. Nearly half of students in developed economies acknowledged using AI chatbots to support learning at least once a week.\n\nWhile declining parental involvement appears to be a significant factor in the lower test scores, Levy believes it is just one of many contributing elements. She notes that increased technology use, reduced reading habits, and decreased motivation to study are also playing a role in the declining academic performance.",
  "summary": "An education expert told Newsweek there are many simple habits parents can adopt to foster stronger academic outcomes.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}