Since 2001, U.S. reading comprehension scores on one international test have failed to increase, signifying an alarming trend in which countries that the United States normally outperformed are now consistently surpassing our fourth-grade students.
Every five years, the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) administers a benchmarking test to students in various global education systems. The test has grown in global scope since its introduction in 2001, and 58 education systems now participate in the exam.
While the U.S.’s scores have fallen by a minuscule margin, it’s the absence of growth that has led to American students being overtaken by countries it had bested in earlier administrations of the test.
While the fall in rankings is not due to significant decreases, the results still have many wondering why American students are failing to demonstrate improvement on the assessment while other countries have. According to U.S. News and World Report, several nations with scores similar to the U.S. in 2011 — Ireland, Northern Ireland, Chinese Taipei, and England — now rank higher than our country in 2016.
“Countries that were our peers have surpassed us while some that used to do worse than us are now our peers,” Peggy Carr, acting commissioner of the National Center for Education, said in a call about the findings.
The news isn't all bad, however. While American students lost ground in the overall rankings, 16% of the students tested performed at an “advanced” level, trailing only seven other countries with that metric. Because of this, it’s believed that an increasing number of lower-performing students is the chief reason for this country’s fall in the rankings.
“The pulling away at the top and the bottom is really the story we see here,” Carr said. “The problematic area here is the bottom of the distribution. When we see a decline in PIRLS, the antenna really goes up.”
On a global level, results of the 2016 test are more promising, revealing basic literacy is at an all-time high throughout the world.
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This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.