Well, despite years of education reform efforts, US reading outcomes remain stubbornly low. Just 40% of fourth graders are working below what's considered a basic reading level for their age. That's actually the largest percentage since 2002.This is all according to a national assessment commonly known as the nation's report card. >> And when children don't learn to read early, experts say the consequences ripple across every area. In fact, they're more likely to fall behind academically, disengage from sch ...

Core Points - The Scripps Howard Fund's "If You Give a Child a Book ..." campaign is matching donations up to $200,000 to support childhood literacy initiatives [1] - A $12 donation will now provide four books instead of two, enhancing the impact of contributions [2] - The campaign aims to distribute free books to underserved children in kindergarten through third grade, focusing on those developing their reading skills [2] Fund Commitment - The Fund collaborates with Scholastic Books to offer free book fairs at Title I schools, allowing students to choose their own books [3] - The goal is to ensure that every student in low-income schools receives 10 books annually [3] Impact and Investment - During the 2024-25 academic year, the campaign invested a record $1.5 million in childhood literacy and provided over 296,000 new books to children [4] - The initiative emphasizes the importance of access to books for building connections and fostering a sense of belonging among children [4] About the Scripps Howard Fund - The Scripps Howard Fund is a public charity established by The E.W. Scripps Company, focusing on journalism education, childhood literacy, and local causes [5] - The Fund supports journalism through scholarships and internships, and it administers funding for the Scripps Howard Foundation, which was established in 1962 [5]