The Importance of Reading Stamina

Reading habits have changed, and not in a good way. In our recent report, we highlight a steady decline in how much students read and, more importantly, in their ability to stick with longer and more complex texts. This trend spans grade levels, demographics, and regions, signaling a systemic shift rather than an isolated issue. Thankfully, research gives educators a clear path forward—a renewed focus on sustained reading across classrooms, grades, and subjects.

Reading stamina is like a muscle where the less you use it, the weaker it gets. Students who regularly engage with a wide range of texts build stronger vocabulary, comprehension, and background knowledge over time. However, today’s students are spending less time reading, completing fewer full-length books, and engaging in shorter, more fragmented reading experiences. 

This decline has serious consequences. When students read less, they miss out on critical skill-building:

• Comprehension – tracking ideas across longer texts 
• Vocabulary – learning words in context naturally 
• Fluency – reading smoothly without stopping 
• Academic success – especially in content-heavy subjects 
• College + career readiness – where long-form reading is required

Less reading doesn’t just affect reading—it impacts everything. 

When students read less by choice, they also read less by volume, reducing opportunities to develop fluency and stamina and accumulate prior knowledge and vocabulary that make comprehension possible:

Less reading → less confidence → more avoidance → even less reading 

As a result, reading becomes something students avoid instead of enjoy. Without regular access to rich, engaging books, students miss the repeated exposure to language and ideas that help reading feel more natural and sustainable over time.
 

Learn more about Classroom Libraries 

This isn’t just a learning gap; this is an access gap. Students who lack consistent access to engaging, grade-level texts and time to read are at a disadvantage, limiting their academic potential and professional success. Without intentional support, the gap between reading expectations and student capacity continues to widen. 

Over time, limited access to books impacts a student’s opportunity to advanced classes, college pathways, and careers. See how Hampton City Schools expanded book access across their entire community.



Learn more about take-home books 

This moment presents a clear opportunity for collective action. Schools and communities can help put students on a path to success by increasing access to high-quality books, protecting time for independent reading, and fostering environments that encourage reading both in and out of the classroom.

We have taken the first step and created solutions to help encourage students to read more: 

• Provide engaging, relevant, grade-level books through our classroom library collections 
• Build a reading culture beyond the classroom with take-home book solutions 
• Encourage daily reading habits with our new independent reading program, 
  Scholastic S.P.A.R.K. 
• Balance long-form reading with shorter texts intentionally with Knowledge Library 

Ultimately, rebuilding reading stamina isn’t just about improving literacy scores—it’s about equipping students with the skills they need to learn, succeed, and thrive in an increasingly complex world. 

Read the full report here.