Why has the average time spent on Newsela's reading comprehension quizzes declined by 20% among high school users in the last two weeks?

Introduction

The recent 20% decline in average time spent on Newsela's reading comprehension quizzes among high school users is a concerning trend that requires immediate attention. To address this issue, I'll employ a systematic approach to identify, validate, and resolve the root cause while considering both short-term and long-term implications for our product and users.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Given the sudden drop, I'm wondering about recent changes. Have there been any updates to the quiz format or content in the last month?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact user engagement. Expected answer: Yes, we updated the quiz interface two weeks ago. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on the new interface as a primary factor.

• Considering user segments, is this decline consistent across all grade levels within high school?

Why it matters: Helps identify if the issue is universal or specific to certain groups. Expected answer: The decline is more pronounced in 9th and 10th grades. Impact on approach: We'd tailor our solution to address the needs of younger high school students.

• Thinking about external factors, have there been any significant changes in school schedules or curricula recently?

Why it matters: External changes could explain the shift in user behavior. Expected answer: No major changes reported in school schedules or curricula. Impact on approach: We'd focus more on internal factors and product-related issues.

• Regarding user feedback, have we seen an increase in support tickets or negative reviews related to quizzes?

Why it matters: Direct user feedback can provide valuable insights into the problem. Expected answer: There's been a slight increase in complaints about quiz difficulty. Impact on approach: We'd investigate the quiz difficulty levels and their impact on engagement.