Renaissance Learning Inc., an educational assessment and analytics company, reports that a recent study found most college students cannot read beyond a 7th grade reading level.
The study looked at the summer reading lists of 341 post-secondary schools across the country and found that five of the top seven books assigned were intended for middle school students.
“We are spending billions of dollars trying to send students to college, and maintain them there when, on average, they read at a 6th or 7th grade level according to Renaissance Learning’s latest report on what American students in grades 9-12 read, whether assigned or chosen,” says Sandra Sotsky, Professor Emerita at the University of Arkansas and a member of the Common Core validation committee.
Stotsky says that both high schools and colleges are at fault for not challenging their students more. She cites a “lack of difficulty and complexity” in the American high school system, compounded by the fact that instructors in colleges do not require students to read at a college level. This means that not only are college students not prepared for the higher learning experience — meaning an enormous learning gap exists, rather than smooth transition from high school into college — but professors are complacent in keeping students from progressing by not assigning more challenging material.
“Indeed, they seem to be suggesting that a middle school level of reading is satisfactory, even though most college textbooks and adult literary works written before 1970 require mature reading skills.” Stotksy explained to Texas Breibart.
She said that reading and comprehension skills need to be developed in elementary school and need to built up with each year, so that when a student gets to college they are not underprepared.
The RLI assessment considered only about 1/12 of the 4140 accredited institutions of higher education in the United States.
The College Board recently reported that a moderate college cost is on average $22,826 per year for a public university and $44,750 for a private university.
