Addressing America’s Literacy Crisis on Comcast Newsmakers
RIF's CEO, Alicia Levi, appears on Comcast Newsmakers national segment addressing the current children’s literacy landscape.
Addressing America’s Literacy Crisis
Comcast Newsmakers
Host: Tetiana Anderson
Guest: Alicia Levi, President & CEO, Reading Is Fundamental
Transcript:
Tetiana Anderson:
Screen time has become a constant in children’s lives — for entertainment, learning, and connection. But more time spent in front of devices often means less time reading, and the impact is showing. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, about 25 million children in the U.S. cannot read proficiently, and educators and literacy experts are concerned.
Hello and welcome to Comcast Newsmakers. I’m Tetiana Anderson. America’s literacy crisis goes beyond just reading books — it can cause children to fall behind in other subjects. And for many students, early struggles with reading can create barriers to future opportunities. Research suggests these early markers are closely tied to long-term academic and life outcomes.
Joining me to discuss efforts to address this is Alicia Levi, President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental. Alicia, thank you so much for joining us.
Alicia Levi:
It is such a pleasure to be here. Thank you so much for having me and for talking about this really important issue.
Anderson:
I want to start by sharing some alarming statistics. According to the 2024 NAEP, 40 percent of fourth graders performed below the basic level in reading — the largest percentage since 2002 — and one-third of eighth graders also failed to hit the benchmark. What would you say is driving trends like this?
Levi:
NAEP is the nation’s report card. These statistics show that the majority of children in this country are not reading at a proficient level — and if you can’t read proficiently, you cannot succeed in today’s society. Reading is the fundamental building block for opportunity and lifelong learning.
The other key point is that this is a solvable problem. Every child can learn to read, but we must give them the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed.
Anderson:
Access is a major concern, especially for children in low-income communities. What are the realities these children face?
Levi:
Many children grow up without books in their homes. Research shows that children in homes with 100 or more books are significantly more likely to read proficiently. Yet over two-thirds of children living below the poverty line do not have a single book at home.
At Reading Is Fundamental, we work to ensure every child has access to books, so they are on a pathway to learning and opportunity.
Anderson:
What does RIF do beyond providing access? How do you nurture a genuine interest in reading?
Levi:
We not only provide books — we give children the power of choice. When children can select books that reflect their interests, identities, and experiences, they’re more likely to engage with reading.
We also work with educators, families, and community leaders to help create a culture of reading — making it something children want to do, not just something they’re told to do.
Anderson:
In an age where screens compete heavily for children’s attention, how do you leverage digital tools?
Levi:
We have to meet kids where they are. A child reads in many formats — menus, recipes, digital screens, print books. Our goal is to empower reading in all forms and help children see that reading is everywhere.
Anderson:
What advice do you have for families who may not be able to afford books but want to build a literacy-rich environment at home?
Levi:
Every family wants the best for their children. At RIF, we bring books and literacy resources directly into communities. We partner with schools, community organizations, and families to ensure access to books and provide tools to support reading at home.
Anderson:
For viewers who want more information, where can they go?
Levi:
Visit rif.org for free resources, tips for families and educators, and information about how to get books into children’s hands.
Anderson:
Alicia Levi with Reading Is Fundamental, thank you so much for joining us.
Levi:
Thank you for having me.
Anderson:
And thank you for watching. For more conversations with leaders across the nation, visit comcastnewsmakers.com.
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