National Literacy Trust’s Post

A recent report from the National Literacy Trust (NLT) sheds light on a concerning trend: the love for reading among young people is dwindling, especially among boys. Based on the voices of 76,131 children and young adults aged 5 to 18, NLT’s Annual Literacy Survey for 2024 reveals that reading enjoyment and frequency are reaching record lows. In 2024, only about one in three children and teens (34.6%) aged 8 to 18 say they genuinely enjoy reading in their free time. This represents a significant drop of 8.8 percentage points in just one year. Even more alarming, only 20.5% report reading daily outside of school, a stark decline to levels not seen since 2005. These numbers go beyond statistics; they reflect a shift that could affect a generation’s creativity, empathy, and resilience. Reading does more than provide knowledge; it opens doors to new perspectives, builds emotional intelligence, and offers a refuge for the imagination. As literacy advocates, parents, and educators, we must find ways to make reading feel exciting and empowering again. This as a call to action. Whether it’s by offering engaging stories, integrating diverse voices, or modeling our own love for books, there’s so much we can do to reignite this vital spark in our young people. Now is the time to remind them that reading is not just a task but an adventure, a joy, and a way to see the world through limitless lenses.

September is National Literacy Month! Reading is a basic human right; every child deserves to be able to read and write. That’s why the U.S. Department of Education funds Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants and established the CLSD National Literacy Center (https://lnkd.in/epGFB_Zr) to improve literacy for all students, but especially disadvantaged children, including children living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities. Developing literacy skills is important for learning in all subjects. The better a student’s literacy skills, the more likely the student is to: ✅ Stay engaged in class. ✅ Graduate from high school. ✅ Attend and graduate from college. ✅ Secure meaningful employment. ✅ Earn a high salary. ✅ Avoid substance use, cognitive decline, and other health issues. ✅ Avoid incarceration. This means that literacy rates have a huge impact not just on individual children—each of whom is uniquely valuable—but also in reducing disparities and creating a more equitable society as a whole. Yet according to the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 33% of 4th graders and 31% of 8th graders are proficient readers. Even the youngest children are entering school already facing pre-literacy challenges (https://nyti.ms/3ZyeuN0). The good news is that there are solutions. Evidence-based educational practices can be used in classrooms. These are activities, strategies, and interventions proved by research to have positive effects on students’ learning or other outcomes. With an eye toward equity, many studies also find that practices tailored to the unique needs of different student populations have positive impacts. And because so many practices have been supported by rigorous research, schools have a wide array of options. In fact, anyone can browse resources on evidence-based practices using the CLSD National Literacy Center’s website (https://bit.ly/4gnrICg), the What Works Clearinghouse (https://bit.ly/3MPwDyr), and Evidence for ESSA (https://lnkd.in/ecq68rPu). Promoting evidence-based practices is just one of the ways the CLSD National Literacy Center aims to improve literacy education, during National Literacy Month and all year long. Let’s get America’s kids reading! 

Last year, the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) revealed that 81% of 10-year-olds in South Africa could not read for meaning. That four out of every five children in our country cannot read after five years of formal schooling is an unmitigated disaster and a national crisis. We need a national plan that is grounded in evidence and built for the classroom. Too many plans in our country fail because of insufficient consideration of context, capacity and capability. National government has been working on a strategy — we’re eagerly anticipating its release, and hope that it is robust, so that civil society and the private sector can align and coordinate our efforts to support it. We simply cannot afford to continue to fly blind when it comes to teaching our children to read. Leaders, teachers and parents need up-to-date, valid, accurate and reliable data on their children’s reading performance so that collectively we can learn, iterate and identify new ways to improve learner’s literacy levels. - Jonathan Molver

Good morning! I’m delighted to share insights on a critical initiative highlighted in Education Week. The article discusses strategies to elevate the nation's lowest literacy rates, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions and community engagement. 🔍 Dive into the details:(https://lnkd.in/gRQrGJxe) As Founder of H&H Higher Education Services, I advocate for comprehensive approaches that empower individuals through literacy and educational support. Let's continue to collaborate and innovate towards achieving equitable educational outcomes for all. #LiteracyInitiative #EducationReform #ScholarlyInsights #CommunityEngagement #EducationLeadership #LearningForAll #EducationEquity #EdWeekArticle

Today's Guardian talks of the lack of support for children in England leading to a 'literacy crisis.' Pro Bono Economics, who led the report with KPMG and the National Literacy Trust, estimate the long-term cost of insufficient literacy skills to be £7,800 per child on average. Matt Whittaker, CEO of Pro Bono Economics states “That so many young children are reaching reception so far behind in basic reading and communication skills should raise alarm bells everywhere.” Indeed it should. The current system is not sufficient for, or meeting the needs of far too many children. At the CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education), we know through our programmes and research what makes the difference in engaging children, immersing them in quality books and meaningful learning experiences and what impact this has, not only in raising attainment in literacy but also on personal, social and emotional development, closing disadvantage gaps and encouraging children to read widely for purpose and pleasure. Find out more in the following research summaries: 📝 The Power of Reading in the Early Years: https://lnkd.in/ew3KCT_F 📝 The Power of Reading: https://lnkd.in/eEUf5peY and in my new book with Professor Dominic Wyse at IOE - UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, The Balancing Act: An Evidence-Based Approach to Teaching Phonics, Reading and Writing: https://lnkd.in/e7ERpFGA Bring the Power of Reading to your school or community: https://lnkd.in/e-s5FH_e https://lnkd.in/eiaNgnen

In honor of AEFL week here are some resources for Adult Education and Family Literacy programs particularly for digital literacy. #workforcedevelopment #AdultEd #digitalliteracy #familyliteracy https://lnkd.in/eq6AMd8x

If we want to meaningfully impact literacy rates, it’s vital that we address the real contributing factors. Multiple studies have linked lower reading literacy in young people with food insecurity — when basic needs aren’t met, people are less able to seek out reading and other activities, or may not have access to the materials they need to do so. This article gives us an incredible example: not only do these groups in Maryland offer books to young people and their families, but they combine these events with food distribution in low-income neighborhoods. These literacy programs have ensured that countless children are fed, but are also given stories that can change their lives, from improving their academic opportunities to offering encouragement in difficult times. Increasing literacy will require more comprehensive approaches like these, that truly strike at the heart of the issue: #Literacy #YouthLiteracy #LiteracyRates #ReadingMatters #BooksAndReading 

📚✨ What do we know about literacy learning in adulthood? New insights explore the importance of lifelong learning and its impact on adult literacy. Discover key findings and implications for education: 📖 https://buff.ly/4duY5fP #AdultEducation #Literacy #LifelongLearning #Education #VoxDev

Supporting Early Years Literacy with the National Literacy Trust 📚 We’re backing the National Literacy Trust’s report, ‘Building confident communicators: How the government can help every child find their voice.’ Early literacy builds the foundation for lifelong learning, and supporting children's communication skills is a responsibility we all share. As part of the report, Nicki Woodhead, Sustainability Director, WHSmith said: “Businesses need employees with well-developed literacy skills, who can explain things clearly, support recommendations with evidence, and understand the importance of tailoring their communication style for different audiences. The foundations for good communication are laid at the earliest point in a child’s development. That is why WHSmith is supporting the National Literacy Trust’s Early Words Matter campaign, to help develop children’s literacy and language skills in those crucial first years.” https://lnkd.in/e6FkfJYe Through our long-standing partnership with the National Literacy Trust, we’ve helped thousands of children across the UK develop essential literacy skills, investing in brighter futures and ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive. Early Years Matter is an impactful initiative which builds literacy skills from the very beginning of a child’s life, providing essential resources and support to families and early years practitioners across the UK. Together we’re making a difference – one story, one journey, and one child at a time. #ForEveryJourneyTheresAWHSmith #EarlyYearsMatter

Let’s give the kids what they want! #medialiteracy #informationliteracy #digitalliteracy #onlineliteracy #infolit #medialit #media #education #mediaeducation #students #teens