Blog Posts

What is Literacy?

Literacy is defined as the ability to read, write, speak, and listen, which allows us to communicate effectively with one another. At its core, literacy is how we understand the world and how we make ourselves understood. It is the foundation for learning, connecting, and participating fully in society. 

Literacy is more than decoding words on a page. It includes reading comprehension, clear writing, confident communication, active listening, and increasingly the ability to navigate digital information. In today’s world, literacy is the gateway to education, opportunity, and economic opportunities. 

When we ask, “what is literacy?” what we are really asking is: What skills do children need to succeed in school and in life? The answer begins here. 

Why is Literacy Important? 

Literacy is important because it determines whether a person can succeed academically, access future opportunities, and fully participate in society. 

The data tells a sobering story: 

  • 25 million children in the United States cannot read proficiently.
  • The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found:
  • Reading performance declined to historic lows for both 4th and 8th graders.
  • The percentage of 8th graders reading below the basic level is the highest in NAEP history.
  • The percentage of 4th graders reading below basic is the highest in 20 years.
  • No state saw statistically significant gains in reading from 2022 to 2024. 

Literacy is the foundation for all other learning. By third and fourth grade, students shift from learning to read to reading to learn. If children are not proficient readers by this point, they struggle in every subject, from science and math to history and beyond. 

Strong literacy skills lead to: 

  • Higher academic achievement
  • Greater confidence and engagement
  • Increased graduation rates
  • Stronger college and career readiness 

Simply put, literacy changes life trajectories. 

What Is the Impact of the Literacy Crisis? 

The literacy crisis impacts educational equity, economic mobility, community well-being, and long-term national prosperity. 

Impact on Communities of Color 

According to the 2024 NAEP results, there is a 26-point gap in literacy proficiency1 between White students and their Black, Hispanic, and American Indian peers. As a result: 

  • Nearly two-thirds of students of color enter middle school not reading at proficient levels.
  • Many join classrooms that lack sufficient reading resources.
  • These inequities have persisted for more than 30 years. 

The literacy crisis is deeply connected to systemic inequities and unequal access to books and learning opportunities. 

Limiting College and Career Readiness 

  • 65%2 of high school students graduate without reading at a proficient level.
  • Students not reading proficiently by 4th grade are four times3 more likely to drop out of high school.
  • Approximately 8,000 students4 drop out of high school every day. 

Without strong literacy skills, students face limited postsecondary options and restricted earning potential. 

Links to Imprisonment and Welfare 

  • 85%5 of juvenile offenders are functionally low literate.
  • Two-thirds of students6 who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4th grade may end up in jail or on welfare. 

Early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of long-term life outcomes. Investing in literacy is preventative, not reactive. 

Declines in Income and Productivity 

  • Illiteracy costs the U.S. economy an estimated $300 billion annually7.
  • 20% of Americans read below the level needed to earn a living wage. 

The cost of illiteracy shows up in unemployment rates, workforce shortages, reduced productivity, and diminished global competitiveness8. 

The literacy crisis affects not only individual children, it affects families, communities, and our economy. 

How Reading Is Fundamental is Fighting the Literacy Crisis 

For 60 years, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) has been the leading voice for children’s literacy. Our mission is to inspire the joy of reading in all children, so they develop the foundation for opportunity, no matter who they are, where they live, or what differences they may have. 

We know that access changes outcomes. 

Through a variety of program and content offerings: 

RIF works to ensure that every child has the opportunity to become a confident, capable reader. 

Because when children have books, support, and encouragement, they don’t just learn to read, they begin to see what’s possible. 

The Bottom Line: What Is Literacy? 

Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in ways that allow us to communicate, learn, and thrive. It is the foundation for equity, opportunity, and lifelong success. 

When we ask “what is literacy?” we are asking how we unlock potential for every child. 

And at Reading Is Fundamental, that answer drives everything we do. 

 

References 

1. 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 
2. 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 
3. The Annie E. Casey Foundation 
4. de Brey et al, 2019 
5. Staff (1991, Summer). Adult literacy facts. KET, the Kentucky Network Adult Education. Showcase, p. 5. 
6. National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 2021. 
7. World Literacy Foundation, The Economic & Social Cost of Illiteracy Report, September 2023 
8. National Council for Adult Learning.