Teens aren't reading for fun like they used to, and teachers and parents are doing what they can to to encourage them to pick up a book.

According to a 2014 report from Common Sense Media, "only 19 percent of 17-year-olds read for fun every day in 2012 – down from 31 percent in 1984," said an article on USNews.com.

"If we can get them to enjoy reading, the reality is their reading skills are going to improve overall," said Megan Knight, associate principal of instruction at Elk Grove High School in Illinois in the article.

The article said that "there is one book that many high schoolers still read and love,'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. A sequel to the book is due out this summer and educators are excited about the idea of teaching it, The Boston Globe reported this month."

"While the new book might excite some teens, others may not see the point of reading simply for enjoyment," the article said. "Teachers and parents can use these tips to encourage teens to read for fun."

The first tip is to "help high schoolers find books that interest them: Not every student wants to read the same thing, says Knight. But she believes there is something for every reader, and students need to have choices," according to the article.

"If you don't like what you are reading, put it down and start over," said the Knight. Some kids feel like they have to finish a book, she says, but that could make reading feel like a chore."

According to the article, "at Knight’s school, a summer reading program is being transformed to include more input from students on the kinds of books they can read, which should increase their engagement​. The idea​ is to create a community of readers who read for fun."

The second tip was to "prioritize reading and model behavior: Educators should make time for free ​reading during school, says Knight. Plus, parents and teachers should model behavior by reading for fun themselves."

"There's research that says that in order for kids to become readers they have to be surrounded by readers," she said in the article.

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Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor