National Parents Union, Educators for Excellence and EdTrust release the following statement:
Washington — Today, Ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced the Read to Rise Resolution, an emphatic call to action addressing the alarming decline in children’s reading abilities across the United States. This resolution seeks to bring national attention to the literacy crisis and calls for swift, evidence-based, action to reverse these troubling trends. It also establishes September as National Literacy Month, encouraging communities to come together and examine how their schools are supporting all children in learning to read through proven, evidence-based strategies.
Currently, more than 48 million adults in the United States have reading proficiency at the third-grade level, a staggering statistic with profound implications for the future of our workforce and economy. The societal costs of illiteracy are equally alarming, as the inability to read costs U.S. taxpayers $224 billion annually. These numbers point to an urgent need for systemic change in how we teach children to read and the vital importance of literacy. 83% of parent respondents in the National Parents Union’s September national parent poll support setting a national goal for all public school students to be able to read at grade level by the time they are in the third grade.
“Reading unlocks opportunity and strengthening literacy for Americans of all ages will help us build a stronger society,” said Senator Reed. “I’m proud to work with Senator Cassidy and our colleagues to introduce this important resolution that amplifies the need for more effective literacy instruction for students of all ages. We need to do a better job of reaching learners where they are and not letting them slip through the cracks.”
“Our students deserve better. Unless reading proficiency improves, we are at risk of losing an entire generation of productive, successful adults,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I appreciate the National Parents Union’s support of this resolution and our important work to improve child literacy.”
“America’s literacy crisis impacts every aspect of our society and demands national leadership,” said Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union. “Right now, 48 million adults lack basic reading skills and we can already see how the long-term consequences for our economy and society are devastating. The time for us has come for us to collectively acknowledge this problem and make a commitment to every community in America to get to work to ensure we don’t leave yet another generation of kids behind.”
This resolution calls for the nationwide implementation of evidence-based reading strategies to ensure that all children, regardless of background, are equipped with the foundational skills necessary for success. It calls on educators, policymakers, and community leaders to adopt these methods in order to improve literacy rates and educational outcomes nationwide and 82% of parents surveyed in the National Parents Union national parent poll.
In an equitable society, access to literacy is not a privilege reserved for some but a universal promise accessible to all. Our commitment to literacy equity recognizes the systemic barriers that have historically denied many communities access to quality education and literacy resources. In fact, 89% of parents in the national parents poll believe that schools should regularly monitor and transparently report on student progress.
Equitable access to literacy ensures that everyone has the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, communicate effectively, and navigate the complexities of the world. It opens doors to lifelong learning, economic empowerment, and informed decision-making. Without literacy, individuals are often excluded from opportunities for advancement and are at greater risk of poverty, marginalization, and social injustice.