New data shows that US students are struggling with math, reading as experts say is on the decline
Fox News investigates the alarming decline in American student numbers and learning statistics, and experts point to a “recession” that began in 2013, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Stanford’s Sean Reardon and AEI’s Nat Malkus discuss things like the overuse of social media and the high rates of absenteeism contributing to a widespread academic slide. Alabama shows promising gains in fourth-grade math.
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Wednesday that it will launch a new update to its E-Rate Internet subsidy program, citing concerns that increased screen time in schools may be contributing to a decline in academic performance.
The E-Rate program provides approximately $3 billion annually in discounts on Internet access and related connectivity services for eligible schools and libraries.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called the review necessary at a time when screen use is rampant in schools across the country, especially since COVID.
He told Fox News Digital that increased use could lead to negative academic outcomes, citing advice issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services this year.
YOUNGSTERS SPEND MORE THAN A QUARTER OF THEIR TIME AT SCHOOL ON ACTIVITIES, NEW RESEARCH FINDS.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced an update to the agency’s E-Rate program, addressing concerns about excessive screen time in schools. (Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
“Now we’re starting to see research going on that links too much screen time in schools and students with really bad outcomes,” Carr said. “We’re seeing poor performance across the country in reading, in math skills, in cognitive development.”
Carr said the review is also intended to empower parents who may have little knowledge of how technology is being used in their children’s classroom.
“I think parents provide a lot of guidance when children use technology and screens at home, but that level of parental guidance ends when your child is in school,” he said. “I think there are many, many parents who have no idea what their children are doing when they spend hours with screens in schools.”
“So that’s part of the FCC’s process to look at how we empower parents and make sure they know what’s going on with this government-sponsored communications,” Carr continued.
GOP LEGISLATION SEEKS TO GIVE PARENTS MORE POWERS AS SCHOOLS BREAK ‘INCENTIVE’ OF STUDENTS’ RIGHTS.
Carr said the FCC wants to ensure that the E-Rate program supports “good, positive educational outcomes, not distractions or poor performance.” He said the agency is conducting a “top-to-bottom review” of the plan and remains open to a variety of potential changes.
The FCC is launching an update to its $3 billion E-Rate program, which helps finance Internet connections for schools and libraries. (Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The review builds on actions taken in Congress and school districts across the country to reduce screen time and return to more “old ways” in education, Carr said.
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He said the review could eventually lead to new oversight of the program, transparency requirements or funding changes, or other reforms designed to ensure that federally funded online services are consistent with what he described as “the best science” on educational outcomes.
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FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr speaks during an open commission meeting at FCC headquarters in Washington, DC, on Feb. 18, 2026. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The FCC is scheduled to vote on June 25 on whether to formally open the review and seek public comment on potential changes to the plan.
The FCC’s review comes as national education performance remains a major concern. According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly referred to as the Nation’s Report Card, the scores of 12th graders have dropped significantly, and have continued to decline for many years.
