It's easy to imagine that illiteracy is not a problem in the United States. With so many articles stating the education rates across the country, it can be a big surprise to hear that some children are being left behind and cannot read at all. Nevertheless, statistics tell a much different story. According to the NAEP (National Assessment on Educational Progress), in 2003, exactly 37 percent of fourth grade children and around 26 percent of children in the eighth grade were not able to read even at the most elementary levels. This causes children to get behind in school due to the fact that they are unable to read educational materials in the classroom.

So what do these statistics signify for the future of this generation? What exactly can we do to encourage and inspire reading in homes and schools? Today's two-parent homes are busier than ever, with a lot of parents needing to work full time or more, with little time to fit reading to their kids into their days. This means that schools need to step up where many parents can't, in an effort to encourage reading even more by making interesting books available for students.

Creating a classroom that has age appropriate media that's available for all students can go a long way towards helping children of all ages learn more effective reading skills and improve their knowledge of the English language. Classes are comprised of children that are all at different reading levels, therefore books should be provided not only for the children who are struggling but also advanced literature for the children who are excelling so that they are not bored and neglected. Classrooms should also have books in foreign languages available, in order to help inspire and motivate children to learn another language as well. Schools should push the boundaries so that kids are not discouraged, and are instead enthusiastic and inspired by truly interesting books..

Parents ought to find a way to slip in some time to assist with reading skills, too. It is a proven fact that children whose parents or family members read to them every day have a much more significant rate of success with their education. Parents must also follow through with setting aside time for their children, where no TV or electronics are allowed, and ensure that their children read on their own. Parents should ask teachers if there are any classroom books for their child to bring home and read. It is also proven that preschool age children who are read to regularly are more likely to be able to count to 20, write their names and either read or pretend they are reading. Parents helping out at home is an essential part of helping children with reading.

Youngsters who cannot read will spend their rest of their lives having difficulties with a wide range of things because they can't read, and this is why it's important to work on their reading skills from a very young age. If a student reaches the second grade with no established ability to read, then they are put at a severe disadvantage regarding their education and will struggle for many years to come. By the time children reach their teens, they can become overwhelmed and discouraged when they cannot read well, which can make them lose interest in school. Prevent this early on by supplying many classroom books, taking the first step towards fighting against illiteracy in this country.