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By Adeola Whitney, CEO of Reading Partners

The Nation’s Report Card is out – and it’s clear that America needs to prioritize helping our young students improve as readers.

The National Center for Education Statistics report showed that the scores of 4th and 8th graders dropped once again between 2022 and 2024. Reading scores have been falling since 2017, and the declines have only accelerated since the pandemic.

It’s alarming that the percentage of fourth-grade students who score below NAEP’s definition of Basic is the same as 20 years ago.

At Reading Partners, we know that the dedicated teachers at our partner schools are working hard to support the growth of readers, and we also know that they cannot turn around this downward slide on their own when so many students don’t have the access they need to proven early literacy programs and resources because of systemic shortcomings. 

The solution requires a combined effort by educators, parents, and volunteers to leverage community-driven solutions to ensure that students receive quality reading instruction inside their classrooms, at home, and in their extra-curricular activities.

The good news is that progress is possible. In some areas, we’ve seen signs of improvement, showing that when schools, families, and communities come together to support students, real change can happen. Reading Partners is ready to support states, districts, and schools to follow this lead, because we know it will take all of us advocating for and investing in early literacy solutions that are proven to work.

Reading is a civil right that should be afforded to every student in the US. Our children deserve nothing less.

Curious how you can get involved to support striving readers? Visit /get-involved/volunteer/.