A new study reveals that while most middle and high school teachers still assign full novels in English classes, the number assigned per year has significantly decreased. Novels no longer hold the central role they once did in high school curricula. This shift indicates evolving teaching practices in U.S. K-12 education.
Key Points
- Most teachers assign full books, but only a few per year.
- Novels’ role in English classes has diminished over time.
- Study highlights changes in high school reading assignments.
Implications for Educational Freedom
This trend may underscore concerns about declining rigor in public school curricula, empowering parents to advocate for school choice options like charters or vouchers to ensure more comprehensive literary education. It highlights potential government overreach in standardizing education, limiting parental input on reading materials.
Source: Most middle and high school teachers still assign full books — but only a few, study says
