Literacy building blocks start from birth as a baby's brain grows through early language interactions. Talking to babies, singing to babies, and even reading to babies lays a solid foundation for school readiness.

After 3rd grade, students generally switch from learning to read to reading to learn. This makes mastery of basic reading skills crucial by the end of 3rd grade so they can be set up for later school success.

High school graduation should be a launching pad for college or career success. Students who do not earn their high school diplomas have a much higher likelihood of unemployment and living in poverty.