Our Take: Local lag in literacy could have long term effects

The ability to read and understand something is a valuable skill. There is direct connection between literacy and quality of life; from securing a good job to healthcare outcomes. Being able to read is vital. 

Unfortunately, literacy rates have been lagging nationwide. According to the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, 54 percent of Americans between 16 years old and 74 years old read below middle school proficiency levels. According to center, nearly 30 percent of adults here in Laurens County lack basic literacy skills. 

As our community seeks sustained growth, spurred by recent investments by companies large and small, now is the time to tackle lagging literacy rates. A lot of emphasis is being put on college and career readiness for older students, and rightly so, but if we expect our community to thrive for generations to come, we must work to give our youngest residents a firm foundation for the future and that comes through a well-rounded education anchored in literacy. 

The reading proficiency rate for Georgia’s elementary school students is dismal 32 percent, shows data collected by U.S. News & World Report. The group annually ranks the nation’s education institutions from preschools to university graduate programs to help parents and students find the best place to learn. None of our local elementary schools surpassed the 50 percent proficiency mark in reading. Only two elementary schools, Northwest and Southwest Laurens Elementaries, beat the state average, NWLE at 46 percent and SWLE at 37 percent respectively. 

 The lowest rate was reported for Hillcrest Elementary, which showed only an 8 percent proficiency in reading. 

To put these figures into perspective, the U.S. News & World Report ranked Kittredge Magnet School of the DeKalb County School System the No. 1 elementary school in Georgia. Students at that school showed 98 percent proficiency in reading.

Looking at numbers in a report isn’t the best way to judge a school system or the community it serves, but such data is widely circulated. Businesses use this information to judge where to expand their operations and people research such data before moving their families to new place. 

If we expect to see sustained or even accelerated growth in Dublin, Laurens County we have to start closing the literacy gap now.