The life-altering impact of reading | Kyle Wallgren | TEDxCoral Springs

Summary

The speaker shares a personal journey, reflecting on how struggling with literacy as a child impacted his life, including an early prediction from a stepfather that he would end up in jail. He highlights the transformative power of literacy, not only in changing individual lives but in impacting society at large. The speaker stresses the correlation between illiteracy and incarceration, economic loss, and limited civic engagement. By prioritizing literacy, families, schools, businesses, and policymakers can help break the cycle of poverty and crime, creating a brighter future for all children and a stronger society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on a past comment made by a family member, Doug, who predicted he would end up in jail due to his struggles with reading and school.
• 😀 The speaker struggled with reading at a young age, which led to feelings of embarrassment and a lack of confidence, especially during class readings.
• 😀 Despite early challenges, the speaker emphasizes the transformative power of literacy and how it has changed their life.
• 😀 Literacy is presented as a key to unlocking opportunities, leading to academic success, higher graduation rates, and improved futures for children.
• 😀 A stark statistic reveals that only 34% of fourth-grade students in the U.S. are reading at grade level, pointing to a major educational crisis.
• 😀 Literacy has a direct link to incarceration, with 85% of juveniles in the criminal justice system being functionally illiterate.
• 😀 Studies suggest that improving literacy, even by two grade levels, can dramatically reduce recidivism rates in prisons from 87% to 18%.
• 😀 Improving literacy can have significant economic benefits, boosting national productivity and reducing economic losses attributed to literacy gaps.
• 😀 A literate workforce is more skilled, innovative, and contributes to economic growth, strengthening the nation's overall economic health.
• 😀 Literacy fosters civic engagement, with a study showing that higher literacy levels increase voter participation by 14%, reinforcing the importance of an informed electorate.
• 😀 The speaker stresses the importance of families, schools, communities, and businesses working together to prioritize literacy programs and ensure all children have access to the tools they need to succeed.

Q & A

What was the significance of the speaker's childhood experience with Doug?

The speaker’s childhood experience with Doug, who predicted he would end up in jail, was significant because it highlighted the speaker’s struggles with literacy and the emotional impact of feeling different or inadequate in school. Doug’s comment was rooted in the speaker’s challenges with reading and not in behavioral issues.

How did the speaker cope with his struggles in school?

The speaker coped with his struggles in school by using humor and performance. He would tell jokes and try to make others laugh with him, as it was the only way he could control the situation and protect himself from being laughed at due to his reading difficulties.

What does the speaker mean by literacy being a 'pathway to opportunity'?

The speaker means that literacy is essential for personal success, providing individuals with the tools to achieve their dreams and overcome challenges. Literacy opens doors to education, career opportunities, and personal development, ultimately leading to a brighter future.

What is the current literacy rate among fourth graders in the United States?

Only 34% of fourth graders in the United States read at grade level, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This statistic reflects a significant challenge in the U.S. educational system.

How does illiteracy correlate with incarceration rates?

There is a strong correlation between illiteracy and incarceration rates. Studies show that 85% of juveniles in the criminal justice system are functionally illiterate. Lack of reading skills is a major predictor of involvement in crime and can increase the likelihood of entering the criminal justice system.

What impact would improving literacy have on the prison system?

Improving literacy in the prison system could dramatically reduce recidivism. If literacy levels were increased by just two grades, the chances of reoffending could decrease from 87% to 18%, according to studies.

What is the economic impact of illiteracy in the United States?

Illiteracy has a profound economic impact in the United States, leading to over a trillion dollars in lost earnings and productivity each year. Improving literacy would help create a more skilled and productive workforce, benefiting the economy as a whole.

How does literacy affect civic engagement and democracy?

Literacy plays a critical role in civic engagement by ensuring that individuals can stay informed and participate in democratic processes. Research has shown that improving literacy can increase voter turnout by 14%, which is crucial for a thriving democracy.

What role do parents play in fostering literacy in children?

Parents are the first teachers for their children. They can foster literacy by reading stories to their children, taking them to the library, and creating a home environment where reading is valued. Early exposure to reading can spark a lifelong love of learning.

Why did the speaker create his company, and how does it relate to literacy?

The speaker created his company because he wanted to ensure that he would never again have to say no to his children when they asked him to teach them something, especially reading. His experience of being separated from his kids and wanting to teach them how to read motivated him to create a company focused on literacy.