Dare ObasanjoFeb 25

Gen Z is the first generation in modern history to perform worse on standardized tests than their parents.

Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath blamed the introduction of technology over textbooks in schools and the rise of the iPhone.

I believe COVID also was a major inflection point which many never recovered from.

https://fortune.com/2026/02/21/laptops-tablets-schools-gen-z-less-cognitively-capable-parents-first-time-cellphone-bans-standardized-test-scores/

The U.S. spent $30 billion to ditch textbooks for laptops and tablets: The result is the first generation less cognitively capable than their parents

Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath said older generations “screwed up” giving students access to so much technology.

Fortune
Show threadIanFeb 25

@carnage4life The issue with standardized testing is you can game it. Worse, schools are incentivized to game it for fear of losing standing and/or funding.

A laptop and a textbook contain the same information. What's most likely changed is how teachers are deciding to teach their students. As in, actually addressing their needs instead of studying for standardized tests.

Show threadSuzanne Aldrich (she/her)
@soviut
I don’t agree that a laptop and a textbook contain the same information. Information density in print can be much higher than on screen. I kept many of my high school and above textbooks and they absolutely blow away what my kids have access to. Miles above. Not even comparable in depth of information presented, nor its quality.
@carnage4life
Feb 25 at 6:24amWeb