National Context (2025–2026)

• Wichita, Kansas (2026): According to the United Way of the Plains, 77% of third graders in Wichita are currently not reading on grade level.

• While 77% is used for specific cities or states, national trends show a broader decline in literacy following the pandemic.

  • 8th Grade (2025): National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores show that 70% of 8th graders nationwide perform below the proficient reading level.

  • 4th Grade (2026): National reports indicate approximately 67% to 69% of U.S. fourth graders read below grade level.

  • Adult Literacy (2026): Approximately 54% of U.S. adults (130 million people) read below a sixth-grade level.

    www.nu.edu +4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNypR2zTxUI