Chile's universities launch new program to combat reading and writing decline

Recent analyses show a sharp decline in reading and writing proficiency among Chilean secondary students. Data from national assessments indicate that only about a quarter of 12th‑grade students meet competent levels in writing and a growing share score below basic in reading, the lowest recorded since the early 1990s.

University researchers attribute the drop partly to reduced sustained reading practice and the pervasive use of smartphones. As Adam Kotsko noted, students now feel “intimidated by anything that exceeds ten pages.”

In response, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) has introduced a pilot initiative called the “Taller de Formadoras.” Led by Andrea Bustos, the program provides a dedicated course on “Didáctica de la lectura y escritura inicial” for future teachers, emphasizing intensive training in early‑grade literacy. Bustos said the implementation “has been especially valuable for reflecting on training needs and the importance of an integral vision for early reading and writing instruction.” She also warned that “the causes are multifactorial… we need a long‑term state policy and systematic monitoring to achieve fundamental change.”

The pilot, begun in early 2025, aims to improve the skills of teachers who will work with the roughly 54 % of Chilean children who still cannot read satisfactorily, with the goal of raising literacy outcomes across the country.