New Analysis Points to Size of Early Literacy Gap

Jumpstart, a non-profit organization dedicated to early literacy, released an analysis last Thursday that presents some new data and zooms in on some of the more note-worthy findings in recent studies on literacy and children. In a new poll of 504 American adults, it found that 95 percent of Americans recognize that early childhood literacy is "a very important issue," but only 18 percent of Americans are aware that children who lack early literacy skills are less likely to succeed as adults.

The report focuses on the gap in early literacy skills between children from low-income families and those who come from middle- and high-income families, as well as the lack of public awareness about early childhood literacy issues in the United States. Most experts now believe that children who are introduced to literacy in their early years -- through exercises like alphabet awareness, one-on-one book reading with adults and the practice of writing their names, not to mention knowledge of content -- have a better chance for strong academic performance in higher grade levels.

At a press conference on Thursday, Jumpstart President James Cleveland stressed the extensive repercussions that await children who are not exposed to reading and books before reaching kindergarten. "The achievement gap begins early and it persists. And, the long term results can be catastrophic," he said.

Some data cited in the analysis:

• A child growing up in a middle class family has been exposed to 1,000 to 1,700 hours of one-on-one picture book reading. The average child growing up in a low-income family has only been exposed to 25 hours of one-on-one book reading.
• 61 percent of children from low-income families have no age-appropriate books for children at home.
• Only half of the children from low-income families entering kindergarten can write their own names, while more than 75 percent of children from higher income families can do so.

These are statistics that should give anyone pause, though they are probably not a surprise to those working with at-risk young children. We wrote in August about how the annual appropriations process may affect early literacy programs -- warning of the possibility that programs like Early Reading First may be folded into larger programs for children and adolescents. Reports like this from Jumpstart help to make the case that as we talk about giving children better chances to improve their reading skills, we cannot forget how important it is to start early.