Literacy is crucial for individuals because it fundamentally shapes our ability to succeed in nearly every aspect of life. It enables us to understand written material, whether in school or in self-directed learning, empowering us to acquire knowledge, skills, and qualifications that improve our life prospects.
Did you know?
- Only 41% of Metro Atlanta 3rd graders are proficient in reading.
- Only 1 in 5 Atlanta kids are reading proficiently in neighborhoods with low child well-being.
- The poverty rate for high school dropouts is over 3x higher than adults with a high school diploma in Georgia.
- Georgia has nearly 800,000 adults with low literacy skills which may significantly impact the future of the state.
Atlanta faces significant disparities in income and educational attainment. Low literacy is a multi-generational problem. Children whose parents have low literacy have a 72% chance of being at the lowest reading level. Without intervention, low literacy will have long-term negative impacts on Atlanta’s workforce and economy.
Literacy is one of the most powerful tools for addressing social inequality, particularly for marginalized groups. Improving literacy presents an opportunity to enhance outcomes for individuals and families across our community. It’s a complex issue that a number of Atlanta nonprofits, collaboratives and school districts are working to improve.
Libraries are key to improving literacy because they provide free access to books, educational resources, and literacy programs for all ages. They create a welcoming environment for learning, support early childhood development, offer adult literacy and ESL classes, and foster lifelong learning. Libraries also bridge the digital divide by providing access to technology and online resources, making literacy accessible to underserved communities.
Literacy is the cornerstone of both individual achievement and the broader success of Atlanta. It empowers people to seize opportunities, fosters economic growth, and helps create a more inclusive and prosperous community.
Learn more about the Fulton County Library System’s literacy programs at fulcolibrary.org.
Sources: Learn4Life; United Way of Greater Atlanta; The State of Literacy in Georgia.
