Definitely a multi-faceted problem, a big part is the pandemic, where some students just completely failed to do any work or learning while at home, creating a sort of tidal wave.
My second theory is we have a dopamine casino in our pockets now, and it's generally more problematic to self regulate and dedicate time towards your education. FWIW I believe parents are a big part of this problem.
Last of all, we have a growing conservative movement that is basically telling everyone that higher education is dumb and everyone should become a trades person. Definitely have seen a lot more apathy in general.
Last point is interesting. There is also a parallel phenomenon where social media creator is one of the top (actually the top in some surveys) "dream professions" among youth these days, displacing the traditional ones like pro athlete, doctor, lawyer, actor, etc.[1][2]
When I was in high school we were completely gripped by the notion that it was necessary to get into a good university program in order to have a (monetarily) bright future. If that mythology is broken, I can imagine it becomes very hard for the average teenager to give a shit about school at all.
Conservatives would recommend against a non-STEM degree (or any degree which is unlikely to have a positive ROI).
The rate of single parenthood has drastically increased over the decades, which undoubtedly has impacted grade school success more than the “conservative movement” boogie man you felt the need to shoehorn into your argument.
Up to 2 years of pandemic era e-learning really seemed to cause permanent problems to a large chunk of students. Kids with stay at home parent did fine, kids with 2 working parents not so much.
My second theory is we have a dopamine casino in our pockets now, and it's generally more problematic to self regulate and dedicate time towards your education. FWIW I believe parents are a big part of this problem.
Last of all, we have a growing conservative movement that is basically telling everyone that higher education is dumb and everyone should become a trades person. Definitely have seen a lot more apathy in general.