The Importance of Literacy

The Impact of Low Literacy in the United States

About 54% of U.S. adults (130 million people) read below a 6th-grade level
The average literacy score for U.S. adults has declined in recent decades
43% of adults with the lowest literacy rates live in poverty
Low literacy is linked to $2.2 trillion in annual lost income
Low literacy is linked to worse health incomes and higher medical costs
A large share of people in prison (about 75%) perform at the lowest two levels of literacy
Literacy affects intergenerational mobility: when parents struggle to read, their children are more likely to also struggle

Children from low-income families are exposed to fewer words at home
Homes with no books or regular story time lead to weaker vocabulary, comprehension, and curiosity

Schools may lack bilingual teachers or literacy supports
Students not supported in their home language can experience delayed reading development in both language

Children who experience food insecurity, unstable housing, or chronic stress find it harder to focus on learning
Families in poverty are less likely to afford resources and programs
Chronic stress can affect memory and cognitive development

Parents who struggle with reading themselves may not feel confident reading to their child or helping with homework
Parents may lack time due to multiple jobs or other responsibilities
Family literacy programs are often underfunded or inaccessible

More screen time leads to less time reading
Passive consumption of social media limits vocabulary and comprehension development

Dyslexia, ADHD, or auditory processing disorders can make reading difficult without early identification and intervention
In under-resourced schools, many children go undiagnosed

In some communities, there are limited libraries or after-school literacy programs
Differing cultural attitudes towards reading and education can influence learning and motivation