April 5, 2025
Reading Choice Matters
Despite more resources at school and better literacy instruction than ever before, studies show that reading levels among children are declining. The issue isn’t time—students have ample opportunities to engage with books. Instead, research suggests that children have fewer choices in what they read and how they spend their time. This not only reduces how much they read for pleasure but may also dampen their enthusiasm for reading. A 2007 National Endowment for the Arts study found that fewer than half of young American adults choose to read in their free time (Scholastic).
Rigid academic structures and precise instructions can weaken independence and critical thinking skills. When students are consistently assigned specific reading material, they are more likely to treat it like an assignment, which does not boost motivation to continue reading. Outside of school, free time is growing more limited. Between after school activities, play dates, television, and social media, opportunities for children to choose reading as a pastime are low.
According to the International Literacy Association, choice is a powerful literacy tool. When students are given the opportunity to select their own reading material, not only do they have increased motivation to read (because they are reading what they’re interested in), but they are more likely to retain information, improve their vocabularies, and continue reading. In short, reading for pleasure is key to inspiring students to be enthusiastic readers.
Allowing students choice in their reading isn’t about lowering expectations or only letting them read whatever they want. It’s about guiding them to identify preferences, set their own goals, and develop strategies to achieve those goals. Agency, or independent choice, inspires readers to be intentional about their literacy development. It helps them engage with the world (and each other) in new ways, and track their progress as they become stronger, more independent readers.
The benefits of choice don’t just apply to reading, either. Giving kids agency in their learning not only improves their reading habits but also boosts engagement in school, test scores, and overall well-being. Research led by Professor John Marshall Reeve, spanning 35 studies across 18 countries, shows that when students take initiative, they achieve higher grades, have fewer social conflicts, and feel happier overall (The New York Times). Ironically, students who are allowed greater opportunities to exercise agency in school (including what they read) follow instructions and complete assignments better than those who do not. Making choices helps students unlock their potential by developing critical thinking skills and situational adaptability, which better prepares them to navigate our rapidly-changing world.