A SOLUTION THAT ADDRESSES
EQUITY + INCLUSION + DIVERSITY

Being literate is the foundation for every individual to best contribute to a dynamic and healthy economy. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of a literacy epidemic that permeates literally every area of our social fabric and economy.

Low literacy perpetuates systemic inequities, blocks diversity, and breeds exclusion. Our highest-risk communities, which suffer the greatest inequities, are those struggling the with the lowest literacy skills — which directly correlates to the highest unemployment, lowest earning power, poor healthcare, worst social welfare, highest crime and more.

There is also a correlation between low literacy and race. In 2019, The Nation’s Report Card from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found that just 15% of Black 8th graders were at or above reading “proficiency.” About half didn’t even reach the “basic” reading benchmark.

130 million U.S. adults struggle to read basic sentences — which can make it difficult or impossible to function in everyday life. According to the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, the U.S. economy loses out on $2.2 trillion annually because of adult illiteracy. As shown below, the costs and inequities are enormous:

HEALTHCARE

Low literacy directly costs U.S. healthcare over $232 billion annually

COURTS

Nearly 85% of those who face trial in juvenile courts are functionally illiterate.

PRISONS

66% of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4th grade end up behind bars.

EARNING POWER

Average adult income at literacy Level 3 is $63,000, at Level 2 is $43,000, and at Levels 0 & 1 is $34,000.

LOST PRODUCTIVITY

Low literacy results in $225 billion lost annually due to non-productivity, workplace crime, & lost tax revenue.

TEEN PREGNANCY

Teenage girls with average literacy and below the poverty line are 6x more likely to have children out of wedlock.

SOCIAL SERVICES

75% using food stamps are at the lowest two literacy levels, & 90% of high school dropouts are on welfare.

FAILURE TO READ

25% of U.S. children grow up without learning how to read.

SCHOOL DROPOUTS

Students who do not attain 3rd grade literacy are 4x likelier to drop out of school

There is also a direct correlation between low literacy & inequities in terms of well-being, employment, income, health, social welfare, crime, and more. Sadly, the enormous investments and tireless efforts being poured into improving social equity will have limited impact without providing a strong foundation in reading and writing.

The future of equity is dependent upon providing every student & adult with a strong foundation in reading, writing, vocabulary, and fluency. Together with our sponsors, we deliver a single immediate, practical and affordable literacy solution.