Low Literacy Ratings in America: Should You Really Be Concerned?

     Let's be honest, schools are no longer encouraging and supporting reading as much as they used to. Summer reading, book logs, book fairs, and pizza parties were ways to encourage and reward children for reading while making it fun and engaging, but these practices seem to be becoming less and less common. Reading can now feel like a chore, especially for a kid who'd rather play on an iPad or go outside. 

    But how does this all affect the literacy rates, and why should you even care about what another kid is doing? Well, that's the thing: children and teens are the world's future, and what is a future without reading? In 2023, adults and teens aged 16-65 were given a literacy assessment, and 28% scored at level 1 or below, indicating low literacy proficiency. The U.S. was also ranked 36th globally with a literacy rate of 79%. Now, if you don't know what these percentages mean, let me explain. More than half of the U.S. population can't read over a 6th-grade level, but almost all important documents are at a 12th-grade level or higher. Scoring at a level 1 means that you can only read and comprehend an organized list and short text where the information is clearly stated, and reading between the lines is unnecessary.

     Globally, the literacy rate is around 86.81%, which makes it a little more concerning when you see that the U.S. only has a 78% literacy rate. It's even more shocking when you realize that places like Finland and Greenland have a 100% literacy rate. You might wonder what they do differently that produces these results. Well, let me tell you. For starters, Finland has free education for all, which helps the lower classes still obtain an education without stressing about cost. Their school days are also shorter, which makes it feel less like a burden for students, compared to a U.S. school, where school is expensive and the hours are longer.

     Once again, you might think, why should I care if an adult can read or not? You should care because, at the end of the day, reading is still a fundamental skill. If the literacy rates continue to drop in the U.S., the effects will only worsen. If people in the U.S. can't even read above a 6th-grade level, then how will they be able to educate their own children? If your doctor has to ask for help reading your charts, then how can you trust that they know what they're doing? Imagine a teacher having to stop class because they can't comprehend what they are reading? Knowledge will always be power, but you can't be knowledgeable without knowing how to read and write. 

     So how can we fix this? We bring awareness to it. Not everything will always be a simple fix, but it's not impossible. Encourage friends, family, and siblings to read a book. It doesn't have to be 400 pages long or even a chapter book. Talk to teachers, counselors, and even coaches about bringing back summer readings or book logs. Even a small reward system for reaching a reading goal would encourage kids to read more, and even on their own. Reading shouldn't be a chore; it's a way to learn and entertain. Remember, change won't happen if you never make it.

Sources:

https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/survey-of-adults-skills-2023-country-notes_ab4f6b8c-en/united-states_427d6aac-en.html

https://www.oecd.org/en.html