Kids today (not ALL kids, but most kids) don't read because they are ADD, a disease that can be traced directly to MTV, the bombardment of constant images in quick succession, information coming out them non-stop aurally and visually - reading takes patience and understanding - two qualities that the two current generations lack in spades. There are exceptions, of course.
The most shocking thing I've heard this year about our education system, and it shows just how far behind I am, is that they no longer teach handwriting in school - and boy does that explain my last helper's unbelievably childish scrawl - only printing they teach now - that, to me, is nauseating and disgusting and just another nail in the coffin of civilized behavior.