In 2024, the Nation’s Report Card scores indicated that fewer than a third of students nationwide were reading at the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Proficient level, a level that would demonstrate a consistent degree of understanding and interpretation of written text. The average reading scores for high school seniors fell to their lowest level since 1992.
Reading, the cornerstone of all academic subjects, has steadily declined on the national level over the past decade. And while it may appear to be inconsequential (just another Barnes & Noble bankruptcy), a lower level of literacy will undoubtedly impact minority populations at disproportionate rates. Lowered national literacy levels signify profound economic and social challenges: reduced national productivity, higher healthcare costs, and increased crime rates.
This is why CitizensNYC is proud to stand behind organizations like Empower My Hood (EMH)—organizations dedicated to the advancement of academic access and success. As a means to disrupt a multigenerational cycle of disadvantage, EMH equips students and their families with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities needed for long-term academic success. The EMH team delivers a wide range of services that advance college readiness and career attainment, community engagement, and mental well-being. Empower My Hood reinforces education as a right rather than a privilege, delivering resources and support through their Annual College Fair, SAT Prep Courses, and College & Career Excursions.
To address a critical gap in student writing skills, one of the largest barriers to college acceptance and scholarships for underserved youth, Empower My Hood has launched a dedicated Essay Writing Techniques Workshop Series. This initiative offers structured workshops led by experienced educators, guiding students through brainstorming, storytelling, editing, and refining their writing. Through individualized coaching and peer reviews, students learn to develop authentic, competitive personal statements that can drastically enhance their college applications.
The reciprocal relation of writing and reading strengthens much more than educational attainment. Economic justice, civic engagement, public health, and poverty are all intimately intertwined with our levels of literacy. The National Report Card is not just an indication of our nation’s literacy levels, but an insight into the school-to-prison pipeline, increased rates of poverty, and restricted socioeconomic mobility.
Empower My Hood and CitizensNYC recognize the educational gap, and we are actively pursuing a report card we wouldn’t be afraid to send home.
