A resolution designating September 2024 as "National Literacy Month".
The resolution calls on federal, state, and local governments, schools, libraries, organizations, and individuals to participate in activities that promote literacy during September 2024. By establishing a dedicated month to raise awareness about literacy, SR814 intends to mobilize resources, stimulate discussions around effective literacy programs, and advocate for accessible reading materials. Such initiatives are observed as vital for fostering effective literacy strategies, especially in underserved communities where reading skills directly correlate with future success.
SR814 is a resolution designating September 2024 as 'National Literacy Month'. It highlights the critical importance of reading as a foundation for personal and economic development. The resolution emphasizes the alarming statistics regarding reading proficiency in the United States, citing that approximately 48 million adults cannot read above a third-grade level, which contributes to broader social issues such as lower high school graduation rates and a higher likelihood of incarceration. The resolution also points to disparities faced by students of color and those from low-income backgrounds in accessing effective literacy education.
While the resolution itself is largely non-controversial, it exists within a larger context of ongoing discussions about educational policy and funding for literacy programs. Advocates argue that increased focus on literacy can lead to significant cost savings for taxpayers by reducing the economic burdens associated with adult illiteracy, projected to be over $224 billion annually. However, there could be underlying contention regarding how effectively states and localities can implement measures called for in the resolution, particularly in the face of budget constraints and varying educational policies.