Evie's Desk: Early Literacy Pays Off

Today, First 5 LA, along with our fellow Southern California First 5 Commissions, is kicking off our annual month-long early literacy campaign, Read Early, Read Aloud! While we all know that reading to, and reading with, young children helps them learn and succeed in school, I wanted to check on our state’s students to see the level of difficulty we’re combating.

Every year, the National Center for Education Statistics publishes the Nation’s Report Card that lets us know how 4^th and 8^th graders nationwide, and in each state, are fairing in core subjects. Maps, graphs and charts compare students to each other on the basis of geography, gender, race and socio-economic standing. Looking just at California’s 4^th grade public school students’ reading scores from 2009, the data is grim:

• Out of 500, the average score in California was 210 – lower than the average nationwide score of 220 for public schools.
• California ranked lower than 43 other states, similar to seven and higher than one.
• About 54 percent of California’s 4^th grade public school students performed at or above the basic level, which means 46 percent fell below the basic level.
• The state’s average score has increased since testing began in 1992.
• The score gaps between white students and minorities was significant, with black students on average scoring 27 percent lower and Latino students scoring 31 percent lower.

Literacy does not begin in kindergarten or elementary school – it starts long before, in infancy, and is an ongoing process. It includes reading, writing, listening and talking. The earlier we read to our children, studies prove, the better they’ll do in school. I know we can all find ways to our help young readers achieve, and this month is as good a month as any to start. For more information, visit Ready. Set. Grow! or the Southern California Read Early, Read Aloud! websites.

Evelyn V. Martinez

Chief Executive Officer
First 5 LA

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