The Michigan Department of Education defines reading as "a multifaceted process involving word recognition, comprehension, fluency, and motivation."
The Michigan Department of Education stresses that reading takes a partnership between parent and child "that begins at home and continues at child care and in school." Additionally, the time from birth through age eight is the most important period for literacy development.
The National Center for Education Statistics emphasizes the importance of early reading. The Center's 2003 study found that the "differences in children's reading skills and knowledge usually seen in later grades appear to be present as children begin school and persist after 1 and 2 years of school." Therefore, parents should read to, tell stories, converse and sing with their children at young ages to help build reading skills.
Parent involvement varies across races and classes. Testing shows that White children read better than Black and Hispanic students. Testing also shows that children from poor families have lower reading scores than children from nonpoor families, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Students who struggle with reading face life-long challenges. The Michigan Department of Education states that half of adolescents and young adults with criminal records or substance abuse problems have reading difficulties.