From early childhood, reading is something that is consistently emphasized as a cornerstone of cognitive development. From bedtime stories to required readings in school, these activities are often pushed and encouraged by both educators and pediatricians alike. While the benefits of it are numerous (including increased creativity, concentration and more), the main reason it is so highlighted is due to its benefits in increasing literacy. 

Literacy is commonly defined as the ability to read and write, as well as being able to compute and understand information given within a text. While this broader definition can be widely applied, several subsections of it have also emerged, including aspects like vocabulary, word recognition, and phonological awareness.  

These foundational skills are mainly encouraged through local initiatives, such as schools and public libraries. Standard curriculum in schooling, such as reading aloud to younger students and required reading and analysis for those who are older, is able to promote and foster the growth of literacy over time inside a classroom setting as well.  

These skills, which are honed throughout education, are essential to function as an adult in daily life. Adults with at least high school literacy skills obtain better jobs than those who do not meet this threshold, and these individuals are even healthier than their less literate peers. Filing taxes, receiving personal health information, and consuming media and the news, for example, are activities which require some degree of literacy in order to do effectively. Teenagers, who increasingly rely on independent skills such as these as they get older, are especially susceptible to the detrimental effects low literacy has. 

Low literacy is also linked to issues that have a more nationwide impact as well. Illiteracy, according to research by National University, costs American taxpayers an estimated $20 billion each year, $2.2 trillion in lost productivity, and between $106 and $238 billion in health care costs each year.  

Despite these crucial aspects, literacy rates in the United States have notably been declining. Research done by the National Literacy Institute throughout the 2024-2025 year shows how 21% of adults within the US are considered fully illiterate, and of those who are considered to be literate, 54% of them have literacy below a sixth grade level. 

It’s important to note that while this has been an issue across the board, there is a link between poverty and illiteracy. In impoverished regions where educational and learning opportunities may not be as prevalent, it is more difficult to cultivate an environment where reading and writing skills are prioritized. Limited access to the internet, as well as focusing more on basic necessities rather than education, is likely why this facet of education has less focus. 

However, on a broader scale, there have been several reasons speculated as to why said skills are deteriorating. Timothy Shanahan, author and distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago, stated that “The latest adult literacy data show that, between 2017 and 2023, there was a clear drop in scores…the most likely reason for this change is due to the effects of COVID—adult literacy programs were closed for the most part during those years, and they have been slow to regain their level of participation.”  

The COVID-19 pandemic, among other factors, has been noted to negatively impact literacy rates. Digital distractions and the shortening of attention spans that came as a result of that have also been detrimental.  

Shanahan further noted that “Children’s literacy did drop in the 2010s and continued down after COVID. This decline could be due to the decline in federal efforts to improve reading instruction in the schools. It had been a major emphasis for the decade prior, and then those efforts were largely discontinued.” 

The most significant of these is arguably the current dismantlement of the Department of Education. The efforts to shift funding away from literacy programs and student resources, especially, is what could be further worsening already large issues. 

Fortunately, there have been ideas and proposals made to prioritize reading and writing education among the public. Reading intervention programs, increased federal funding, and private organizations dedicated to the cause have all emerged as ways to potentially combat the problem. “Schools need to increase their attendance… [and] have to make reading a priority, making sure that kids are reading not only in their reading instruction, but also in social studies, science, mathematics…teaching is the most important element in literacy development. Adults who are low in literacy should contact their public library or community college,” Shanahan added.  

Overall, while solutions have been circulated, the most important thing to do now is to put them into action. Raising literacy rates, among both children and adults, is crucial in order to have not only functioning but effective communities and individuals across the United States.