Editorial: August 24, 2023

Johnny Needs to Read

Recently it has come to light that the fourth grade reading scores for children in New York have dropped at least six points, double the national average, on the test that allows for comparisons among the states. And that comparison puts our state—among, as we know, the largest—at number 32 in the nation for child literacy. New York is in the bottom half, and most reports concur that the state is not moving fast enough to remedy its literacy crisis, that is, through the introduction of new teaching materials to address many students’ differing needs and advanced training for teachers and principals rooted in the contemporary science of how children learn. New York, once a national leader in education reform, has not entered the 21st century, and literacy in New York, across the board, is suffering.

Students who struggle with literacy, and learning, at an early age continue to struggle throughout their school years because they do not have the same foundation of understanding and breadth of knowledge to build upon as their more literate peers. This very often translates to below-average, poor literacy levels in higher grades and into adulthood. Illiteracy also is a major factor in whether adolescents graduate from high school; in fact, one in six drops out each year.

But it’s worse. Childhood literacy efforts are essential to reducing the rates of adult illiteracy. Over 50% of Americans have not read a book this year; 22% haven’t read one in three years; 14% simply cannot read. The global illiteracy rate is 12%; this country ranks 125 out of 194 countries. India has the highest percentage of population that reads books; and, for the record, the Bible, the “Selected Works of Mao Tse-Tung,” and the Harry Potter series are the most read. Worse still, 21% of adults in this country are illiterate, and 59% of our population have a literacy level below the 6th grade. California has the lowest literacy rate, 76.9%, followed closely by New York (77.9%), Florida (80.3%), Texas (81%) and New Jersey (83.1%) while, on the other hand, New Hampshire stands at the top, with a 94.2% literacy rate, and Minnesota (94%), North Dakota (93.7%), Vermont (93.4%) and South Dakota (93%) are close behind.

Literacy is the ability to use printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential. In the 19th century, literacy rates in the United States were relatively high; in 1875 that rate was 80%. The rate began to decline in the 1970s, as the country and its public schools became less inclusive.

In the American job market, illiteracy leads to unemployment and low-paying positions. In the political arena, basic literacy, which enhances citizenship and community, is essential for a well-functioning democracy; without the underlying skills and intelligence that enable people to work together, a democracy lacks the ability to defend itself as a ruling system. In the words of Frederick Douglass, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

Come on everyone, teach Johnny to read.