How can we increase literacy rates in the U.S.?

By Evan Dawson,

Megan Mack, Emmarae Stein

Published September 7, 2022 at 2:23 PM EDT

Assemblymember Jen Lunsford and Joshua Stapf on "Connections." — Assemblymember Jen Lunsford and Joshua Stapf appear on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Wednesday, September 7, 2022.

It’s not exactly true that no one reads books anymore, but it’s certainly true that Americans are reading a lot less than they used to. “The death of an American cultural legacy” is how The National Endowment for the Arts puts it. In parallel, fewer Americans are proficient readers than at any point in decades. And people who read poorly make less money on average.

What, if anything, can reverse this cultural train? Our guests discuss it:

Joshua Stapf, executive director of Literacy Rochester
Assemblymember Josh Jensen, District 134
Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, District 135
Dave Boelio, volunteer tutor at Literacy Rochester and ESL Group teacher

Connections

Evan Dawson

Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.

See stories by Evan Dawson

Megan Mack

Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.

See stories by Megan Mack

Emmarae Stein

Emmarae Stein is the production assistant for "Connections with Evan Dawson."

See stories by Emmarae Stein