arjan writes

It’s six a.m. do you know where you are?

Today's not my usual content, but since it's National Literacy Day, I must address a hidden crisis I feel passionate about: Alarmingly, two-thirds of American kids are not reading at the level they should be. In fact, thousands of American kids will never learn how to read. It's also hitting close to home: Almost 50% of California students aren't reading at their expected grade level. This isn't just a statistic – it translates to over 3 million students struggling daily. Exacerbated by the pandemic, our education system is missing the mark, failing to support the potential within our children. As a result, we're at the precipice of a growing illiteracy issue with implications affecting our kids, economy, and society at large. Children from lower-income communities are disproportionately impacted by the literacy crisis in America. The lack of access to resources and opportunities can make it difficult for these children to catch up to their peers, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and illiteracy. Pause for a moment and picture a life without reading. How would you learn? How could you lead a fulfilling and meaningful life?