Building Blocks for Literacy

Literacy in the News

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” —Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

by Dr. Rebecca Palacios, Contributor
Senior Curriculum Advisor at Age of Learning/ABCmouse.com

I have previously written about how important it is to develop a love of reading, and how parents can help children become successful readers, especially through the development of oral vocabulary. According to the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading:

Research shows that learning begins long before a child enters kindergarten. Children, even infants soak up words, rhymes, songs, and images. Vocabulary development is particularly important.

Life is so exciting for young children. Everything around them is a new wonder to explore, a learning experience filled with language. You can take advantage of the child’s natural curiosity and imagination to create delightful language learning opportunities that are immersed in play. As children engage with the world around them, literacy can be linked to their experiences. This is especially powerful when parents focus on building blocks to literacy, beginning as soon as a child is born and continuing through his or her school career. by Dr. Rebecca Palacios, Contributor, Senior Curriculum Advisor at Ag of Learning/ABCmouse.com

Continue reading …

Here’s how you too can help: DONATE or VOLUNTEER

Adult Education & Family Literacy Week

Literacy in the News, What's New

Adult Education & Family Literacy Week (September 24-30, 2017) reminds us that literacy plays a vital role in the educational achievement, economic success and health of families. As many as 36 million American adults struggle to read, write, perform daily math and use technology above a third grade level.

By designating September 24-30 as national AEFL Week, LVR and other literacy organizations are seeking to raise public awareness about the impact of adult education and family literacy in order to expand access to basic education programs for low-literate adults.

Consider the following facts on the National Impact of Literacy:

  • A mother’s reading level is the single greatest determinant of a child’s success
  • Low literacy costs an estimated $230 billion in annual healthcare costs
  • Women with low literacy are twice as likely as men to earn less than $300 a week
  • Minimum wage workers increased wages by $18 to $25 within 18 months of exiting an adult education program
  • Low literate adults are less likely to vote or join community groups

A total of 3.4 million New York State residents are either functionally illiterate but fewer than 10% are receiving help for their literacy needs.

Low literacy affects every area of life, in New York State, and throughout the U.S.

  • 43% of adults with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty
  • 50% of the chronically unemployed are functionally illiterate
  • 76% of adults on public assistance are low-literate
  • 75% of prisoners fall into the lowest two levels of literacy
  • 85% of juvenile offenders have reading problems

Literacy Volunteers of Rochester is a leader in the cause of literacy. Our English language, math, Family Literacy and Digital Literacy programs are tackling core challenges confronting the Rochester community. Here’s how you can help:

VOLUNTEER NOW

DONATE NOW

 

New York’s Literacy Problem

Literacy in the News

A total of 3.4 million New York State residents are either functionally illiterate–reading below the 5th grade level—lack a High School Diploma or cannot speak English…

BUT fewer than 10% are receiving help for their literacy needs.

Low literacy affects every area of life

43% of adults with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty
50% of the chronically unemployed are functionally illiterate
76% of adults on public assistance are low literate  or unable to read more than simple text
Public assistance recipients with the lowest literacy skills stay on assistance the longest
Parents who can’t read are likely to have children who can’t read well
75% of prisoners fall into the lowest two levels of literacy
85% of juvenile offenders have reading problems

For more about how you can help, Contact Us

VOLUNTEER HERE

DONATE HERE

International Literacy Day

Literacy in the News, What's New

This year, International Literacy Day (8 September) will be celebrated across the world under the theme of ‘Literacy in a digital world’. On 8 September, 2017 a global event will be organized at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris, with the overall aim to look at what kind of literacy skills people need to navigate increasingly digitally-mediated societies, and to explore effective literacy policies and programmes that can leverage the opportunities that the digital world provides.  Continue reading …

Connections with Evan Dawson

Literacy in the News

On Thursday, May 29th, Literacy Volunteer of Rochester staff, volunteers and students spent time with Evan Dawson discussing the impact of illiteracy in Rochester, and how Literacy Volunteers of Rochester (LVR) is trying to eradicate it. LVR Executive Director Bob Mahar,  Philip Gigliotti,  Jennifer Stevens, Delmi Rivera, Jake Pietruszewski, and Irina Statnikova shared their experiences related to this issue.  To hear the podcast, click on the following link.

http://wxxinews.org/post/connections-lpga-leaves-rochester-eradicating-illiteracy#.U4eV_cPq5uE.facebook

Rochester’s changing face of literacy

Literacy in the News

For decades, Douglass Smith made it work.

After dropping out of high school during his junior year to support children he’d had at an early age, Smith, now 53, took jobs that didn’t require much of an education.

Now, two years clean and sober, Smith is hitting the books — and getting help from Literacy Volunteers of Rochester. This is the group’s 50th year providing classes for adults, like Smith, who are trying to restart their stalled educations.  Continue reading …