From: Digital Learning Alliance To: Scott Jenkins, Subject: How State Legislators Can Make a Difference with Literacy Improvements (Issue #11) Date: Tue Jun 10 15:00:25 MDT 2014 Body:
How State Legislators Can Make a Difference with Literacy Improvements [Issue #11]
State legislators can make a huge difference in a child’s success by funding programs that strengthen reading proficiency. (Click here for a pre-written bill template). Right now, Digital Learning Alliance is working with 250 state legislators in 44 states, and is tracking 236 digital learning initiatives.
We know the challenges
NAEP Studies show that 37% of 4th graders and 27% of 8th graders cannot read at their grade level, resulting in increased dropouts, fewer college ready pupils, and a high cost to taxpayers.
In low-income areas, 70% of students read below grade level.
Among adolescents in juvenile detentions, 90% cannot read.
Students who read below grade level are less likely to graduate on time. Students who do not graduate high school on time are also more likely to commit violent crimes and perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
Economic ROI
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, illiteracy costs the United States billions of dollars a year. The NCES and the U.S. Census figure that roughly a third of Americans cannot read at grade level. This strains the economy by shrinking the talent pool available to employers, and can translate to the off-shoring of jobs because competent American workers cannot be found.
Solution
Implement one of many personalized and adaptive innovative software programs that will allow students to work at their own pace to overcome literacy deficiencies. Integration of technology in the classroom will allow students to feel challenged while working at their own pace, and help them gain reading mastery that will pay huge dividends throughout their lives.
Digital Learning Alliance is supporting legislators like you with a comprehensive plan to solve your state's education issues with successful technology recommendations, bill templates, and implementation results. This service is driven by our 7-step legislative road map designed to assist you in a variety of ways.
Digital Learning Alliance will continue to send you email updates about all issues we are working on, but if you would like to hear about them sooner, please call or email me.