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Happy National Literacy Month! Each September, I enjoy seeing how communities come together to recognize and celebrate the importance of reading and literacy. With every letter, word, and sentence I write (and that you in turn, read and comprehend) we are actively illustrating just how important literacy is - both as individuals, and as part of our growth and development as a civilization.
A s we remember literacy this month (and of course, year-round at Black River United Way through our work to support third-grade reading success) I am grateful to live in an era where literacy is correctly understood as a universal right. While written communication forms have existed for thousands of years, it was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that literacy was globalized and viewed as a necessary skill for every member of society. Through the gift of literacy, we have the ability to communicate across time, distance, and cultures. Our words and sentences can be understood and used to transmit information, facilitate learning, ask questions, and encourage dialogue. They can also be used to impart knowledge, tell stories, evoke emotion, and inspire.
We can fully understand the importance of literacy when we think about what our lives would be like without it, or at minimum, what they would be like if we struggled in our ability to read proficiently. High school diplomas, college degrees, and most employment is unattainable without literacy, along with the jobs, income, and stability that come with them. Research suggests that early literacy struggles can be a predictor of future success. Students who struggle to read proficiently are more likely to struggle in other subject areas like science and math, and they fall farther behind their peers at an increasing rate.
Without successful intervention, struggling readers may fail to earn a high school diploma. This unfortunate outcome is corroborated by a study conducted by the Annie C. Casey Foundation that found that 88% of students who failed to earn a high school diploma were struggling readers in third grade. Every student that leaves school without graduating can cost our society up to $260,000 in lost earnings, taxes, and productivity. These students are three-and-a-half times more likely to be incarcerated than those who earned a high school diploma, and will earn $200,000 less than high school graduates during their lifetimes, $1,000,000 less than college graduates.
The evidence is clear that reading and literacy are critical factors to the success of our children, our workforce, and our society. With approximately two-thirds of children in Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties reading below grade level by the end of the third grade, this issue is extremely relevant to our communities and as residents, it is important for us to do what we can to foster a culture of literacy and reading.
How do we accomplish this work? First, we can foster a culture of literacy by making reading a personal habit. Reading is an imitable practice that not only develops the individual that does it, but uplifts those around them. It’s hard not to talk about what we’re reading in an exciting new book and those ideas can take root and encourage others to read more and explore new interests, books, and genres. Studies have found that children are 40% more likely to enjoy reading when parents, caregivers and others in their household take time to enjoy it (BookTrust). Parental involvement is the most powerful force in a child’s literacy development - having an even greater impact than family background, socioeconomic status, family size, or parental education level (National Literacy Trust).
We can also foster a culture of literacy by frequenting and engaging with institutions that promote literacy - namely our local libraries. Free access to books through libraries is a wonderful resource for readers of every age, interest, and level. By making the most of this resource in our community, we can strengthen not only our own reading abilities, but also our library systems, by demonstrating the need for and importance of these institutions. Our engagement with our local libraries helps guide local funding decisions and policies, ensuring the availability of libraries and access to free books in our community.
Another way you can foster a culture of literacy is by supporting its development through volunteerism. Black River United Way offers a variety of opportunities to help support early-grade reading, specifically through our Heroes For Literacy and Scholastic REAL Mentors programs. Whether you volunteer once or twice a month, or can make a larger commitment of once a week for nine weeks, volunteering through these programs helps foster a love of reading in early elementary school students and provides support to struggling readers. These programs help support Black River United Way’s bold goal of 90% of students reading on or above grade level by the end of the third grade in 2040! Our in-school tutoring and reading mentorship programs are only possible through volunteers, and both make a tremendous difference in helping students achieve on or above grade reading levels.
Reading and literacy can open the door to a world of possibilities. Through our personal reading habits, our support of institutions that promote literacy, and our volunteerism to ensure that all children thrive in reading, we can foster a strong culture of literacy in our community.
Although National Literacy month is only in September, together, we can celebrate and remember the important role of literacy in our lives - through each page turned, each book read, and each story shared; in turn ensuring that that door to a world of possibilities remains open wide.
Your President & CEO,
Yolanda McCray
PS - Looking for a one-day opportunity to make a difference through reading? Join us for United to Read on November 7th, where volunteers across our community will come together to read to K-3rd grade classrooms in Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties. Spots are filling up fast so sign up NOW!
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