We’ve been talking a lot to you these days about how funding and budget cuts could harm our kids’ education. But now, with your help, we have the chance to do something proactive and positive. We have the chance to make an investment in childhood literacy to ensure that every child can read, write, and harness the power of language.

The LEARN ActThe Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation (LEARN) Act was introduced on April 18, 2013 by Senator Patty Murray (WA). LEARN will provide schools and states with the resources they need to make sure that children from birth to grade twelve have the reading and writing skills necessary for success in school and beyond. NCLD is proud to be joining with over 70 organizations in supporting this law. As Senator Murray has said:

“Literacy education is the foundation for all education. Children in every state deserve to have access to high quality literacy education that will give them the reading and writing skills they need to succeed in school, in their future careers, and in life… I am going to fight to make sure literacy education gets the support it deserves.”

Kids Need ThisResearch demonstrates that a high-quality, literacy-rich environment is an important prerequisite for academic success—this is especially true in early childhood when children are developing the foundation upon which future learning is built. Research also shows that low-income children are less likely to be exposed to environments that foster such skills. In addition, more than 5 million high school students do not read well enough to understand their grade level material. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 26% of these students cannot read essential materials such as such as road signs, newspapers, and bus schedules. To be successful in today’s 21st century global economy, students must develop oral language, reading, and writing abilities.

What LEARN DoesThe LEARN Act supports NCLD’s policy agenda and provides a strong federal investment in high-quality literacy instruction that will help states improve programs to strengthen the literacy skills for kids at all ages, grades, and developmental levels.

Specifically, the LEARN Act will:

• Authorize $2.35 billion for comprehensive literacy programs, to support local school-based literacy programs (birth to grade twelve).
• Enhance states’ capacity to improve literacy instruction through the creation of state literacy leadership teams.
• Provide high-quality, research-based professional development opportunities for instructional staff and financial support for literacy coaches.
• Support promising and innovative practices to improve literacy and writing, especially for students reading and writing below grade level.
• Include incentives to provide a multi-tier system of supports to ensure all students have access to high-quality intervention and instruction.

 

Take a positive step with NCLD – tell your Member of Congress to support LEARN.