Literacy

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Why We Help: Information & Data

Key Factor 1
Only one in every three children who come from households with low incomes have access to books at home (Reading Is Fundamental). This presents additional difficulties for children who are attempting to gain reading fluency.
Key Factor 2
Only 36% of fourth-grade children in the United States are proficient readers (National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2019). According to the National Institute for Literacy, around two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of fourth grade will wind up in jail or on welfare. Low literacy costs the United States at least $225 billion per year in lost productivity in the workplace, crime, and tax revenue owing to unemployment. Individuals with the lowest literacy and numeracy levels have a greater unemployment rate and lower wages than the national average.
Key Factor 3
Children who do not read at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than competent readers (Anne E. Casey Foundation, 2010). Longitudinal studies show that students who cannot read effectively by the end of third grade are more likely to have poor health, discipline issues, and become adolescent moms. Additionally, they are more likely to drop out of high school. As adults, they are more likely to serve time in prison, struggle with unemployment, and have shorter life expectancies.
Key Factor 4
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 80% of low-income fourth-graders are reading below grade level. Each year, one in every six young adults, or more than 1.2 million, drops out of high school. Recent data reveal that approximately 30% of adults with household incomes at or below the federal poverty line do not have a high school diploma. A feasible job path and proper education are essential for achieving meaningful, family-supporting pay. The annual worth to our economy of increased wages and cost savings from various support programs is projected to be more than $200 billion.
Key Factor 5
According to U.S. statistics, around 48 million adults are unable to read above the third grade level. Adults with Low Literacy and Numeracy Skills from 2012/14 to 2017. (2022, May). US Department of Education, https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2022/2022004/.. According to additional research, children of parents with inadequate literacy skills are 72 percent more likely to have the lowest reading levels themselves. These children are more likely to struggle academically, have behavioral issues, be absent frequently, repeat school years, or quit out.
Key Factor 6
Of adults with the lowest reading levels, 43% live in poverty, while 70% of adult assistance claimants have low literacy skills. More schooling leads to higher wages, as do higher educational scores. Low adult literacy is associated with an increase in health care expenses of more than $230 billion per year. Almost half of American people struggle to grasp and use health information. Adults' ability to make good health decisions is hampered by a lack of awareness, increasing the chance of increased health-care costs.

Legacy Summer Literacy Camp

Legacy Summer Literacy Camp – Summer 2024: Legacy (Literacy) Summer Camp combines critical curiosity, black history, and literacy with an emphasis in metacognitive reading skills to collectively support raising the literacy rates of children who live in under-resourced communities. This camp combines African American history and tradition with literacy skills and practices to improve reading comprehension and critical thinking for summer students. Our Legacy (Literacy) Camp includes these elements:

Exploring Black History and Culture

Camp sessions, activities, and conversations cover important African American history and culture events, individuals, movements, and contributions. Campers learn about famous African American leaders, activists, artists, and innovators.

Literacy Education and Skills

We tailor literacy education to the reading levels and development of campers. Campers improve their reading and writing skills through reading comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, and writing tasks.

Metacognitive Reading Strategies

Metacognitive reading practices teach campers to monitor and deliberate about their reading. Reading helps them forecast, question, summarize, visualize, and connect. Metacognitive tactics help campers read more actively, strategically, and reflectively, improving comprehension and engagement.

Literature-Text Integration

The camper reads African American literature from varied perspectives. Campers read fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and historical books about things that evoked curiosities about black history and culture, which led to significant discussions, analysis, and reflection.

Cultural Enrichment

The camp incorporates African American heritage and tradition enrichment activities in addition to literacy and black history lessons learned. Dance and music performances, arts and crafts projects, storytelling, and tours to Black history and culture museums are available to campers.

Critical Thinking and Inquiry

Campers will use critical thinking and inquiry-based learning to ask questions, examine material, assess perspectives, and draw conclusions about black history's significance in their lives and communities.

Interactive Collaborative Learning

Campers will engage in field trips and interactive activities that promote vocabulary and intellectual curiosity

Black Legacy Literacy Summer Camp

Black Legacy Literacy Summer Camp is a dynamic and exciting educational program that combines black history and culture, curiosity and  literacy skills. Through these features, the camp strives to enable young people to become critical readers, informed learners, and active participants in recognizing and valuing African American contributions to society.

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