Younger generations are often told that they have it easier than those who came before them—that they have more resources, technology, opportunities, and, most importantly, better access to information than ever before. With all of these advantages, it seems as though we should be more intelligent than ever; yet, something’s off. It’s almost as if younger generations are declining intellectually, struggling to solve problems and think critically for themselves like older generations. The most recent test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress show that reading and math scores for fourth and eighth graders are at their lowest levels in decades. The talk of this “education crisis” has made me think—what’s wrong with the way younger generations are learning? Could the technology that we’re constantly connected to be the very thing leading to our decline?

The Education Crisis has sparked many debates, as there are many differing views on what’s causing it. Some blame teachers, others accuse parents, and some point to the constantly changing standards and tests. Many even argue that COVID-19 is at fault. But what’s not addressed enough is how the idea of intelligence has changed over time. Hundreds of factors contribute to this crisis, and it’s not traceable to one certain group or event. As the United Nations puts it, “There are numerous factors that contribute to the global educational crisis, and they are all interrelated, resulting in a complex situation that requires careful consideration.”

COVID-19’s Role in the Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly worsened the education crisis. Schools began to shut down and shift to online learning. This presented a new challenge that was hard for many to adapt to. A 2019 Harvard study discussed how students learn best by interacting with others in person and participating hands-on, especially in younger grade levels. Furthermore, students struggled to stay motivated and to not fall into distractions without the constant supervision of a teacher. Not all students had access to a stable Internet connection, making it harder to participate and ask questions effectively. These challenges created learning gaps in students’ education that are still causing issues to date. A study from the Northwest Evaluation Association showed that “the gap between pre-COVID and COVID test score averages widened in 2023-24 in nearly all grades, by an average of 36 percent in reading and 18 percent in math.” They estimated that “the average student will need the equivalent of 4.8 additional months of schooling to catch up in reading and 4.3 months in math.” Teachers and students across the nation had to switch their ways of teaching and learning, creating unwanted stress and anxiety. COVID-19 disrupted our education system in many ways, and the consequences still stand today.

Technology’s Role in the Crisis

Technology has played another major role in the education crisis. On one hand, it’s given us an incredible platform to access more information than ever before. Students can research anything within seconds and can connect to others through a few clicks. On the other hand, it’s caused focus levels to drop substantially. Social media, streaming services, games, and other distractions make it very hard for students to concentrate and have lowered concentration and attention spans. Teachers can’t compete with the constant presence of these distractions. There are also tools, such as ChatGPT, that present an easy yet concerning way for students to cheat and get their schoolwork done for them. While technology has its benefits, it’s affecting in-person learning and the quality of students’ education. In some ways, it’s made students more disconnected and has caused them to think less critically, further contributing to the education crisis.

What’s Being Done to Resolve This Crisis?

Many steps are being taken to improve the current state of our education system. The government is helping to provide students with technology if needed, especially after the outcome of the pandemic. Many schools now offer Chromebooks that students are assigned in classes, and paper assignments at hand if internet access isn’t available. The curriculum is constantly changing, but hopefully, it’s for the better and students can learn using more critical thinking. Teachers are also trying to embrace AI while still making students think for themselves. These efforts will hopefully gradually improve and resolve the education crisis we’re facing, and allow current students to become more intelligent than past generations, rather than less.