Pandemic Crushed Educational Curve Of Young Children in Marginalized Families: Survey
By Richard Horgan
Los Angeles (Knewz) — The pandemic had a massive impact on low-income families as many kids missed key educational milestones, an advocacy group founded.
"For most children, if they don't learn to read during the window of ages 3-6, they will face a lifelong battle with illiteracy," explained USA Reads CEO Andrew Kay: "It's a fight against time to get books into the hands of children who are struggling to read before it's too late."
The organization recently surveyed 500 marginalized families across the U.S. and determined that nearly half the children aged 3 to 6 in these families, 42 percent, missed out on key learning and reading skills development. A majority of parents, 75 percent, said the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative effect on their young child or children's desire to learn how to read.
A separate USA Reads analysis found that 60 percent of children from low-income backgrounds live in homes without a single book. So getting reading material to them is a top priority.
Other factors contributing to the disruption of young-child learning during the pandemic include limited access to in-person school resources and poor Internet connectivity at home. The latter problem is especially noticeable in rural areas.
When USA Reads compiled data for this fall's "COVID's Literacy Fallout" report, it found that broadband service in some remote areas can cost between $299.95 and $349.95 a month. Such fees are difficult for anyone to afford, let alone low-income families.
USA Reads aims to distribute a total of 200,000 children's books in 2021, partly by establishing free lending library kiosks in neighborhood laundromats. The Grandville, Mich. non-profit is also planning to open 15 chapter offices across the U.S. by the end of next year.
So far, the organization has been able to do its work in 12 U.S. states, including Michigan, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Richard Horgan has worked for decades as a print, radio and digital journalist, beginning with Associated Press Canada. Prior to joining Knewz.com as West Coast Editor in 2021, Horgan was a longtime columnist for Adweek and Mediabistro, covering media and entertainment. He has also served as editor-in-chief of FilmStew, film commentator for Fandango and columnist for TMZ during the site's earliest days.
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