Over 40 million Americans age 16 and older have significant literacy needs.*

By age 17, only about 1 in 17 young adults can read and gain information from specialized text, for example the science section of the local newspaper. This includes:

1 in 12 White 17 year olds,
1 in 50 Latino 17 year olds, and
1 in 100 African-American 17 year olds.*

More than 20% of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level - far below the level needed to earn a living wage. (NIFL)*

40% of 4th grade students are reading below grade level.*

Low literacy leads to.

43% of people with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty; 17% receive food stamps, and 70% have no job or only a part-time job.*

70% of prisoners scored in the two lowest literacy levels of the National Adult Literacy Survey. This means that while they have some reading and writing skills, they are not adequately equipped to perform tasks like writing a letter explaining an error on a credit card bill or understanding a map or bus schedule.*

Despite a near 80% re-arrest rate for juvenile offenders, that rate is reduced by 20% or more when juveniles are involved in quality reading instruction programs. *

You might be surprised to know.

75% of unemployed adults have reading and writing difficulties.*

American businesses are estimated to lose over $60 billion in productivity each year due to employees' lack of basic skills.*

But reading offers the solution.

Supportive families and communities help students become successful readers.

Students will strengthen their reading skills if they are reading carefully selected titles closely matched to their reading levels and interests.

Extensive reading improves vocabulary and concept knowledge.

Students improve their comprehension skills when they read a wide range of books, respond to questions and talk about what they've read.

Students in schools with well-stocked libraries, including a wide selection of books and information technology, average 5-10 points higher on standardized testing than students without adequate library facilities.