The U.S. Literacy Crisis: AN Urgent Call to Action.

69% of children in the U.S. are not reading proficiently. That's approximately 33 million children. This alarming statistic underscores a national crisis with profound implications for education, economic opportunity, and social equity.​

DECLINING READING PROFICIENCY AMONG STUDENTS

Recent assessments reveal troubling trends in reading proficiency:

• Fourth-Grade Students: In 2024, only 30% of fourth-grade public school students performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level in reading, marking a 2 percentage point decline from 2022. ​
• Eighth-Grade Students: The percentage of eighth graders performing at or above the NAEP Proficient level also declined, with significant drops observed across various demographics. ​

WIDENING ACHIEVEMENT GAPS

The disparities in reading proficiency are stark and widening:

• Racial and Ethnic Disparities: In 2024, only 17% of Black fourth-grade students and 21% of Hispanic fourth-grade students scored at or above the proficient level in reading, compared to higher percentages among their White peers. ​
• Socioeconomic Factors: Students from low-income families continue to face significant barriers, with only 18% of eighth graders eligible for the National School Lunch Program achieving proficiency in reading. ​

SOCIOECONOMIC CHALLENGES IMPACTING LITERACY

Household dynamics and socioeconomic status profoundly affect children's reading development:

• Poverty: Approximately 32% of children living in poverty lack access to adequate reading materials and support.​
• Parental Education: Around 64% of children with parents who have not completed high school experience challenges in developing literacy skills.
• Single-Parent Households: Children in single-parent households, including 45% in mother-only and 35% in father-only households, often have reduced access to reading resources and support.​

BOOKER BRINGS: A SOLUTION TO ENGAGE & EMPOWER YOUNG READERS

Booker Brings offers an innovative approach to address these literacy challenges by:

• Personalized Engagement: Delivering books tailored to each child's interests, fostering a love for reading through personalized selection.​
• Interactive Communication: Facilitating a two-way exchange between Booker and the child through shared notes, enhancing comprehension and making reading a collaborative experience.​
• Accessible Learning: Providing flexible, self-paced reading opportunities within the comfort of the child's home, accommodating diverse learning styles and schedules.​

By meeting children where they are and nurturing a supportive reading environment, Booker Brings aims to bridge the literacy gap, empowering all children to become confident and proficient readers.