According to the Science of Reading, the body of research about how the brain learns to read, 95% of all people can learn to read proficiently.

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📖National Literacy Statistics:

• 1 in 5 U.S. children struggles with reading. (National Center for Learning Disabilities)

• Only 31% of fourth and eighth graders read at or above proficiency according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP, 2024).

• Low literacy costs the U.S. economy an estimated $2.2 trillion annually in lost productivity and wages. (Forbes)

• In 2024, 21 percent (or 43 million Americans) were found to be illiterate, while 54 percent had a literacy below a sixth grade level, according to the National Literacy Institute (NLI)

• 27% of Americans did not read a book in the past year.

• 80% of graduating seniors will not voluntarily read a book after high school.

• Students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. (Annie E. Casey Foundation)

• Dyslexia affects 15-20% of the population, yet many go undiagnosed. (Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity)

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📚 Literacy in Georgia:

• Only 36% of Georgia’s third graders scored proficient or higher on the Georgia Milestones ELA assessment in 2023.

• Georgia ranks 32nd in the nation for literacy proficiency. (U.S. Department of Education)

• The Georgia Early Literacy Act (2023) requires K-3 reading screenings to identify struggling readers earlier.

• Approximately 1 in 10 students in Georgia is at risk for dyslexia. (Georgia Department of Education)

• Children from low-income families in Georgia hear 30 million fewer words by age 3 compared to higher-income peers, impacting literacy readiness.

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🏫 Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Literacy Data:

• In Columbia County, 44% of third graders scored below proficiency in reading on the 2023 Georgia Milestones.

• In Richmond County, 66% of third graders scored below proficiency in reading, a rate higher than the state average, on the 2023 Georgia Milestones.

• In Burke County, 55.2% of third graders scored below proficiency in reading on the 2023 Georgia Milestones.

• In McDuffie County, 51.7% of third graders scored below proficiency in reading on the 2023 Georgia Milestones.

• In Lincoln County, 36.2% of third graders scored below proficiency in reading on the 2023 Georgia Milestones.

• Dyslexia screenings are now mandated for K-3 students in Georgia, but access to specialized intervention remains limited in many CSRA schools.

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📢 Why This Matters:

• Early intervention is key! With proper support, students with dyslexia and reading difficulties can thrive academically.

• The right instruction makes a difference. Structured literacy approaches, like Orton-Gillingham and the Barton Reading and Spelling System, can help struggling readers succeed.

• You can learn to read well at any age!

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✨ How You Can Help:

• Advocate for strong structured literacy instruction in schools.

• Support local reading programs and tutoring initiatives.

• Encourage early book exposure and daily reading with children.

• Spread awareness about dyslexia and reading disorders to reduce stigma and increase support.

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📌 Literacy is the foundation for success. Let’s work together to ensure every child has the opportunity to read, learn, and thrive!