"We've doubled what we spend on each child. But double the money is worth it
if we're producing better results.
Unfortunately, we're not." --Davis Guggenheim, Waiting for "Superman" director
Literacy is the number-one predictor of a child's ability to succeed in school.
In fact, the majority of kids who read below grade level in first grade will most likely still read below grade level in the fourth grade and may never catch up.
It is crucial that all children master early literacy skills before they enter school, which include recognizing the letters of the alphabet, understanding that books in English are read from left to right, and being able to comprehend and tell stories. Preschool-aged children are especially receptive to learning; the impact these early lessons have can be dramatic.
Reading to a child three times a week makes them twice as likely to score in the top 25% of their class in reading. This means they'll be more likely to graduate high school reading on grade level or higher.
Tutoring, giving books, or simply reading to children fights illiteracy... one book, one student at a time.
You can learn more about literacy and literacy rates around the USA in Early Warning! Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters: A KIDS COUNT Special Report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation
