Sign the Petition Supporting the Right to Read Act and help ensure that every student in America has the right to read and access the resources necessary for their success.

The Right to Read Act, recently reintroduced in Congress by Senator Jack Reed¹ and Representative Raúl Grijalva², is a crucial piece of legislation that will address the literacy disparities present in the United States. This Act aims to guarantee that all students across the nation have access to a school library staffed by a certified school librarian.

Literacy is a fundamental skill that is essential for long-term opportunities and economic success. The ability to read and write fluently is a cornerstone for learning and communication, and it is vital for future success. Studies have shown that school libraries make a significant, positive impact on children by providing them with the skills and inspiration needed to become proficient and enthusiastic readers³. Access to a school library results in a 73% higher literacy rate for all students, and it is even more impactful for low-income, minority, and disabled students⁴.

Literacy plays a vital role in shaping personal and social development, and studies have shown that it helps individuals be more self-aware and understand the world around them better. Through reading, people can develop empathy, expand their worldview, and gain knowledge on various topics. Literacy also enables people to express themselves better and communicate effectively with others, which is critical for building healthy relationships and fostering social connections. Additionally, literacy includes critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in today's complex and ever-changing world⁵.

However, the U.S. Department of Education reports that 2.5 million students are enrolled in districts where there are no school libraries⁶. This means that 1 out of 10 schools in America are without a library⁷, and 30 percent do not have full-time school librarians. School libraries are most effective when they offer resources that resonate, engage, and empower students⁸. However, 37 states have enacted bans on books that disproportionately limit access to reading material that discusses issues from marginalized and minority communities⁹.

The Right to Read Act aims to reduce disparities in reading ability among students by providing evidence-based reading instruction, well-equipped school libraries, family literacy programs, a variety of reading materials, and the freedom to select their reading materials. The legislation also recognizes the digital literacy needs of contemporary students and strives to improve the efficiency of school libraries by investing in the recruitment and retention of state-certified school librarians¹⁰.

We cannot let another generation of students miss out on the critical benefits of literacy due to a lack of access to resources. By supporting the Right to Read Act, you can join the movement to ensure that every student in America has access to a school library and the resources necessary to succeed.

Sign the petition in support of the Right to Read Act and help close the literacy gap by giving every student the right to read!

More on this issue:

1. Sen. Jack Reed [D-RI], 117th Congress (29 September 2022), "S.5064 - Right to Read Act of 2022."
2. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva [D-AZ-3] (29 September 2022), "H.R.9056 - Right to Read Act of 2022."
3. National Association for the Education of Young Children, Reading Rockets (2023), "Learning to Read and Write: What Research Reveals."
4. Rita Reinsel Soulen and Lara Tedrow, SAGE Journals (10 August 2021), "Students’ frequency of access to school library materials in transformative times."
5. Christy M. Howard, Melissa Adams-Budde, Joy Myers, Grant Jollif, International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (July 2017), "Shaping our literate lives: Examining the role of literacy experiences in shaping positive literacy identities of doctoral students."
6. U.S. Department of Education, "Access To Reading Materials."
7. National Center for Education Statistics (2021), "Libraries."
8. National Center for Education Statistics (2018), "Digest of Education Statistics."
9. Kelly Jensen, Book Riot (20 April 2023), "Pen America's Latest Report: 37 States & Millions of Students Impacted by 2022-2023 School Year Book Bans So Far."
10. Shawnda Hines, American Library Association (6 October 2022), "ALA applauds new school library legislation to widen access for students nationwide."