The Literacy Gap

The literacy gap refers to the unequal ability of children to read and write at grade level. It is often divided sharply along economic and racial lines. In some communities, students have access to high-quality schools, books at home, and strong reading support. In others, especially low-income neighborhoods, children may start school already behind in literacy and never catch up.

This gap doesn’t just affect test scores—it impacts a child’s confidence, academic progress, graduation rates, and long-term opportunities. Studies show that kids who can’t read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. As well as people who are illiterate are 3 to 5 times more likely to be incarcerated.

Why Does this Exist?

The literacy gap is not just about individual students—it’s rooted in systemic inequality. Key causes include:

Unequal School Funding

Many schools rely heavily on local property taxes for their funding. That means schools in wealthy areas get more money for books, teachers, libraries, and technology—while schools in lower-income areas are left with far less.

Limited Access to Books at Home

Children in underserved communities often grow up with little to no access to age-appropriate books. This puts them at a disadvantage before they even start kindergarten.

Overburdened Teachers

In underfunded schools, teachers may be managing large class sizes with few materials. Without specialized literacy support or reading intervention staff, struggling readers fall behind.

Lack of Early Literacy Programs

Many communities don’t have free or affordable preschool, reading mentors, or after-school literacy support—so kids fall behind early and stay behind.

How Policy Affects Literacy: The Case of California's Proposition 13

In California, Proposition 13 (passed in 1978) drastically limited the amount of money school districts could collect through local property taxes.

Propisiton 13 Explained

While it helped homeowners by capping taxes, it also slashed school budgets statewide, especially in lower-income areas.