Right here in one of the wealthiest countries on the planet, 45 million Americans are currently functionally illiterate and cannot read above a fifth-grade level.

What is even more shocking is that there is a wealth of research that shows widespread and chronic reading failure in our communities.

There are significant gaps in reading achievement by race and income, here are some numbers from our communities of color that scored below the basic reading level:

➡︎ 50 percent of Black fourth graders

➡︎ 47 percent of Hispanic fourth graders

➡︎ 49 percent of American Indian fourth graders

America’s literacy crisis has reached epidemic proportions, with millions of children and adults affected each and every year by a never-ending cycle of educational disadvantage.

How do we address this and begin to close the literacy gap? Listen as we speak with Ericka Smith on Early Childhood Education & Literacy.

Early Childhood Resources from this episode:

Learning Spaces

https://www.unitedwayatlanta.org/program/learning-spaces/

Georgia Early Education Alliance For Ready Students

https://geears.org

Office Of Early Learning

https://apsprekapplication.com

Quality Rated Preschool Information

https://families.decal.ga.gov/childcare/qualityrated

Bright From The Start

http://www.decal.ga.gov

Rollins Center For Language & Literacy

https://www.atlantaspeechschool.org/professional-development/rollins-center/

International Dyslexia Association

https://dyslexiaida.org

CDC Milestone Tracker

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

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