Statistics on learning to read

“Statistically, more American children suffer long-term life-harm from the process of learning to read than from parental abuse, accidents, and all other childhood diseases and disorders combined. In purely economic terms, reading related difficulties cost our nation more than the war on terrorism, crime, and drugs combined.” This is a quote from a PBS production on reading, called “Children of the Code.” I missed it when it aired, but I’m thankful for Wrightslaw bringing it to my attention. The site associated with the documentary is rich in painful statistics, as well as powerful ways to encourage better reading education.