Mission

Did you know that a student who reads poorly in first grade has a 75% probability of reading inadequately in high school (Reach Every Reader)? And, according to this same Harvard research study, ⅔ of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of the 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare. In addition, 51% of higher performing 13 year old students read at least once a week, while only 28% of lower performing students of the same age read once a week (NAEP).

To combat the alarming downfall of literacy rates in kids, the LitUp Kids strives to repair the bond between kids and books, one read at a time.

Interesting Stats

>50%

of American kids are not proficient in reading by the end of third grade

of America’s fourth and eighth graders are not proficient in reading

2/3

of students met the college readiness benchmark

40%

of 13-year-olds said they never or hardly ever read for fun

31%

Additional Findings:

  • Black and Hispanic students enter high school with average literacy skills three years behind those of white and Asian students

  • Students from low-income families enter high school with average literacy skills five years behind those of high-income students

  • Technology and devices have added to the change in adolescents' reading preferences and use of devices for reading

  • Since 1984, both male and female students who say they read for fun almost daily has declined across both age groups

Sources