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FIRST ON FOX: A new initiative originating in Texas aims to address the alarming decline in children’s literacy rates, with aspirations of achieving a national impact. This comes as the administration under President Trump reduces Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and limits progressive gender ideology that has dominated educational discussions.
“Literacy has taken a backseat, and it’s because people don’t know our kids can’t read,” stated Pete Geren, a former Army secretary and Democratic congressman from Texas. He emphasized that many elected officials remain unaware of the serious literacy crisis haunting our education system.
The organization At Grade Level has launched the ‘Have Your Child Read to You’ campaign to combat this issue. Geren, now the president and CEO of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, is collaborating with this Texas-based group to advocate for essential literacy improvements.
Geren insists that the federal government has repeatedly indicated that a significant number of children lack reading proficiency. However, this information has not spurred a substantial national literacy movement.
Parents hold a crucial role in this endeavor. Geren encourages them to engage in a simple yet effective practice: ask their children to read aloud. This not only helps parents assess their child’s reading capabilities but also reinforces learning at home.
Startling statistics reveal that only 43% of over 170,000 students in Fort Worth are reading at proficient levels. Conversely, nearly 100% of parents believe their children are reading adequately. This disconnect mirrors trends on a national scale, highlighting a widespread issue in literacy competency.
Geren and his colleagues aim to build awareness among parents regarding this pressing concern. He explains that parents can catalyze significant change if they become informed and involved. Their dedication to their children’s education could drive improvements both at home and within the education system.
The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report indicates a worrisome drop in reading proficiency. Only 67% of eighth graders and 60% of fourth graders met basic reading standards, marking the lowest scores observed in three decades.
Poor literacy levels have far-reaching implications, particularly in relation to crime. According to At Grade Level, approximately 80% of inmates in Texas lack functional literacy skills.
Various state leaders, including district attorneys and county judges, have acknowledged the correlation between educational deficits and criminal behavior. Geren notes that law enforcement officials are increasingly vocal about the critical role literacy plays in community safety.
During a recent press conference, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes remarked on the alarming statistics surrounding literacy and their consequences for public safety. He stated that many individuals incarcerated today are there partly due to failing literacy levels experienced in their formative years.
In a bold move, President Trump signed executive orders aimed at eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs along with gender ideology instruction in K-12 schools back in January. In the following months, he initiated efforts to streamline the Department of Education, attempting to return more control over educational policies to individual states.
During this process, Trump expressed his outrage over the billions allocated to public education while student performance in core subjects continues to decline, highlighting an overarching issue in educational funding.
Trump asserts that while the United States devotes significant resources to education—spending more per pupil than any country in the world—we consistently rank low in educational achievement. He emphasized this contradiction in a conversation with Fox News, labeling the current state of public education a crisis.
Overall, U.S. governments spend about $857.2 billion annually on K-12 education. Despite an infusion of $190 billion in federal aid during the pandemic, students’ academic performance remains stagnant, with an analysis by The New York Times indicating that many have regressed significantly in key areas like math, reading, and science since 2020.
The Road Ahead for Literacy Advocacy
As awareness spreads around this urgent literacy crisis, organizations such as At Grade Level are determined to foster a more literate society by emphasizing parental involvement. Educators and advocates alike argue that the path to educational improvement begins at home.
As support for this campaign builds, ongoing dialogues about accountability in education will be critical. Many expect that as state and national leaders prioritize literacy, effective strategies will emerge to enhance reading proficiency among children.
The future of literacy advocacy seems more hopeful as community leaders and concerned parents rally for change. By investing time and resources into reading programs and educational support, it’s possible to rewrite the narrative surrounding literacy in America and establish a brighter future for generations to come.
