The value of literacy is far-reaching – for individuals and society. Literacy is good for your health, builds skills, improves the economy, promotes gender equality, strengthens democracy, and enhances quality of life.

And yet, for all its benefits, improving literacy is still a challenge. According to the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, 34% of students score below reading level in fourth grade. And while most states have seen childhood literacy improve since 2003, five states have seen it decline