Karen's Top 5 Facts About Literacy in America

1. Nearly 66% of the children who can't read proficiently by the 4th grade will end up in jail or depending on the government for welfare assistance. Additionally, close to 70% of those sitting behind America's prison cells can't read beyond the 4th grade level.

2. For every 4 children in America, 1 grows up not learning how to read. By reading, I don't mean mere word calling; I mean being a fluent and cognitive reader of texts.

3. One learns to be literate. Illiteracy is passed down.

4. In a 2009 study, it was found that while 53% of the surveyed 4th graders read for recreation, only 20% of the 8th graders polled did the same.

5. This year, Washington D.C., was rated the most literate district, while Seattle and Minneapolis followed closely. *Please note all 3 are already implementing aspects of Common Core State Standards.

Photo Credit: http://cincinnati.com/niecincy/archive/2012/09/03/