“Children who have not developed some basic literacy skills by the time they
enter school are 3 to 4 times more likely to drop out in later years.”
US Department of Education
“74% of children who are poor readers in 3rd grade are poor readers in 9th
grade.”
Bob Chase, President, National Education Association
“So strong is the link between literacy and being a useful member of society that
some states use 3rd grade
prison construction.”
‐level reading statistics as a factor in projecting future Bob Chase, President, National Education Association
Only 18.5% of state prison inmates are high school graduates.
Only 2.7% are college graduates.
National Institute for Literacy
Only 29.2% of children under age 6 living at poverty rate have a parent that was a
high school graduate.
Only 2.8% have a parent with a college degree.
National Center for Children in Poverty
“To grow up reading is to grow up with power and freedom.”
Dr . Perri Klass, Director, Reach Out and Read
More information from the National Institute for Literacy:
“To Read or Not To Read: A Question of National Consequence” is available as a
book or free 98 page document from the National Endowment for the Arts
website: www.arts.gov Publications, literature Some Amazing Literacy Statistics
