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Reading at Risk
"Literary reading in America is not only declining rapidly among all groups, but the rate of decline has accelerated, especially among the young."
Issued by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and spanning a 20-year period, this report focuses on the important and active roles that readers play in their communities, and sounds an alarm that the overall number of readers is declining.
UPDATE: The NEA followed up the Reading at Risk study with To Read or Not To Read: A Question of National Consequence, released in November 2007. This study confirms the trends identified earlier in Reading at Risk. In particular, it reveals that
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• Americans are reading less (especially teenagers and young adults); |
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• Americans' reading comprehension skills are eroding; and |
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• These declines have critical civic, social, and economic implications. | To view a PDF of To Read or Not To Read, click here.
The NEA has launched a national initiative, "The Big Read," to "revitalize the role of literature in American society," and, "to bring the transformative power of reading into the lives of Americans." Click here for more information.
We invite you to join ARCF in supporting reading in Arkansas by exploring these statewide programs that promote literacy and literature:
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Reading in Arkansas: A Local Priority
Although the NEA’s Reading at Risk study focuses on national trends, the importance of literacy and reading can be observed in our local communities, as well. Arkansas Community Foundation’s recent focus on community development has spotlighted the important link between education and economic growth. Unfortunately, over 170,000 adult Arkansans have less than an eighth grade education* and are therefore unlikely to have the literacy skills they need to succeed in the workplace. As Arkansas competes to attract 21st century industries that will stimulate our economic growth, we must invest in the education and literacy skills of our workforce. (*According to the 2000 US Census.)
The Reading at Risk study reveals not only the importance of basic literacy skills, but also the close link between advanced literacy and community involvement. Unfortunately, the study indicates that even many adults with high literacy skills aren’t taking the time to read for pleasure and to become actively engaged with literature. Yet, here in Arkansas, there are more incentives than ever to start reading. From bestselling Arkansas authors to local literary magazines to book festivals and even a writers’ colony, Arkansas’s flourishing literary culture enriches our community and the lives of residents.
To support literacy efforts at the statewide level, click on the links in the "Ways to Give" column at the top right.
Or, support literacy efforts in your area of the state:
Other ways to get involved:
We also invite you to read the Reading at Risk study and check out NEA's The Big Read to learn more about how this issue is being addressed nationally. You can share this information with your friends and colleagues by clicking the e-mail option at the top of each of our Web pages. And if you really want to make an even bigger difference in your community, we invite you to give online to the initiative(s) of your choice. |
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