Shocking, hard truth: 36 million adults in the United States cannot read or write above a third grade level. Due in large part to the income gap in our country, many under-served students face a severe disadvantage for school success. Look at the numbers:
of children of under-served communities are read to daily by their parents.
of low-income families have no age-appropriate books in their household.
children who cannot read at age level by the end of third grade will not graduate form high school on time.
It's a simple fact: avid readers are higher achievers than students who seldom read. We can help these numbers by ensuring that families from all income brackets have access to books. That's where Literacy Up! comes in. The achievement gap between students of low-income families and students of higher income families starts to dissipate when both types of students read widely and passionately together with their caregivers.
When ALL children have access to books, they are better prepared for the future.
Why Access to Books Matters
Studies show that parents who are given books are four times more likely to read with their young children. Parents receiving welfare are eight times more likely to read to their children when provided with books and encouragement.
The mere presence of books profoundly impacts a child’s development. Books provide children with...
Information
Vocabulary
Imaginative richness
Skills for discovery and play
Wide horizons
When kids own books, they get this sense of “I’m a reader.” That’s a powerful thing.