EPISODE · Mar 27, 2025 · 24 MIN
TEACHERS REACT: The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books - Part 2 [Ep 251]
from Brave New Teaching: A Podcast for High School and Middle School Teachers
Did you catch last week’s episode? If not, listen here! In that conversation, we gave our initial reaction to the Atlantic article, The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books. Need the TL;DR? The article claims Gen Z is reading the fewest amount of books in recent history and some of the adverse effects of shifting to skill-focused learning. Today, we’re continuing the discussion, with a focus on college readiness. The article shares the perspective of college professors who are finding their students unable to keep up with the reading. So what does that say about our high schoolers? Well, it’s not just about students struggling with books! It’s about an education system that’s set them up to prioritize achievement over learning. In this episode, we talk about the race to college, the stress that students are under, and why so many of them feel disconnected from reading.Instead of pointing fingers, let’s figure out how educators can meet students where they are, spark their curiosity, and make reading feel less like a chore and more like an experience. We think through some practical strategies to bring reading back to life in the classroom (and have lots of episodes linked in the show notes on how to help achieve this). We’re definitely at a turning point in the history of education - and it’s not all doom and gloom! We truly feel that we’re all going to come out better on the other side of it all.To continue this conversation, join us in Happy Hour, where we’re working together to plan and put things into practice!Resources:Download your discussion guideThe Elite College Students Who Can’t Read BooksEducator Atlantic SubscriptionFlipster X Your Local LibraryPodcast: Why Reading Books in High School MattersCurriculum RehabSHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode251"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University!Support the show📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻Join Happy Hour!Curriculum RehabDown with the Reading QuizShop the BNT Resource LibraryConnect with us on Instagram @bravenewteachingSubscribe to our YouTube Channel
What this episode covers
Did you catch last week’s episode? If not, listen here! In that conversation, we gave our initial reaction to the Atlantic article, The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books. Need the TL;DR? The article claims Gen Z is reading the fewest amount of books in recent history and some of the adverse effects of shifting to skill-focused learning. Today, we’re continuing the discussion, with a focus on college readiness. The article shares the perspective of college professors who are f...
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TEACHERS REACT: The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books - Part 2 [Ep 251]
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