The Evidence
When our children don’t have a strong foundation in reading, math and writing, they will struggle in K-12, higher education and the workforce. The education + workforce pipeline is broken. The first eight years of a child’s life can drastically change the trajectory for a child. Investing in quality early learning through 3rd grade benefits ALL children, families, communities and society.
The first eight years are a critical time in language and literacy development.
A child’s brain is wired to read by 18 months of age.
More than family circumstances, parents’ educational background or income, reading impacts a child’s future academic performance, emotional well-being, communication skills, economic security, ambition and happiness.
Third grade is a critical benchmark. Too many 3rd graders in Virginia are not passing the Reading Standard of Learning (SOL).
Children through 3rd grade are learning to read. Then they are reading to learn.
3rd graders not reading by 3rd grade are 4x more likely to drop out of school.
Access to books and reading aloud promotes brain development, fosters bonding, reduces anxiety and stress, improves kindergarten readiness, boosts literacy skills and third grade reading.
Only 41% of children under five are being read to frequently. Studies show reading for enjoyment in the US is declining rapidly.
Reading is the foundation for academic success and a more skilled workforce. When a student never learns to read, they will struggle in school and life. The school-to-prison pipeline runs through reading classrooms and begins with reading difficulties, misbehavior, absenteeism, delinquency and crime.