"Children only get one chance at education" - Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan 

Jumpstart believes that every child enters the world with the potential to succeed and it is unacceptable that poverty too often prevents millions of children from achieving their dreams. Unfortunately, nearly half of all children in low-income neighborhoods start first grade up to two years behind (Brizius, J. A., & Foster S. A. (1993). Generation to Generation: Realizing the Promise of Family Literacy. High/Scope Press)

The sad truth is that when children start behind, they tend to stay behind for the rest of their lives. In fact, some states forecast the number of prison cells they will need based on third grade literacy levels.

You can change that. By participating in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, you can take an active role in solving our crisis in early literacy. When you pledge to read with Jumpstart, you help shine a light on this very real problem and stand up for every child’s right to dream. 

When you donate to Jumpstart through Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Online Book Drive, you help provide the building blocks of dreams—books, supplies, and our proven program—to Jumpstart’s preschool children nationwide.

American’s Misconceptions of Early Literacy
In 2009, The Pearson Foundation commissioned an Early Childhood Education Perception Poll. The poll explores Americans’ perceptions surrounding the reading inequality between children in low-income neighborhoods and their more affluent peers, especially our awareness of the importance of early childhood literacy.

The poll showed:
		75% of the population is completely unaware that nearly 61% of low-income families do not have any age appropriate books in their homes
		63% do not know that poverty is the best predictor of whether or not a child will achieve in school
		53% are unaware that nearly one-half of children from low-income communities start first grade up to two years behind their peers

Learn more about Pearson’s Early Childhood Education Perception Poll
		Early Education Poll Summary of Results
		Early Education Poll Appendix
		America’s Early Childhood Literacy Gap: A white paper featuring more information on the achievement gap and Jumpstart’s role in solving this crisis