Overview for BRIDGE TO LITERACY: No Child – Or Adult – Left Behind

By John Corcoran

National literacy advocate John Corcoran, who helped to bring illiteracy out of the shadows with his autobiography, goes back into the "subculture of illiteracy" from which he escaped at the age of 48 in his new book, BRIDGE TO LITERACY: No Child - or Adult Left Behind. BRIDGE TO LITERACY examines the state of crisis of illiteracy in America and shares a vision of hope for children and adults.

Teaching all children how to read using scientifically proven methods of instruction in the classroom will prevent another generation of failure, while increasing resources for programs for older students, dropouts, and adult learners will eradicate an epidemic that threatens the our economic and social well-being in America.

BRIDGE TO LITERACY comes at a critical time as Congress considers the reauthorization of the sweeping federal education reform known as "No Child Left Behind," and the critical "Reading First" component, which provides research-based instruction to emerging learners. With 2014 set as the deadline to close the gap on achievement tests, many school districts have failed to show measurable progress--particularly for underprivileged and minority students. Rather than become discouraged or abandon the education reforms, John Corcoran believes that school districts, teachers, policymakers, parents, and importantly institutions of higher education that train teachers must redouble their efforts to commit to the goals of No Child Left Behind.

Through extensive research and in-depth interviews, BRIDGE TO LITERACY is the first book to bring together leading researchers, advocates, and literacy champions in both public and private sectors–including in the U.S. and in Canada–who are fighting an overwhelming battle on several fronts, from early childhood detection to adult literacy programs. It shares the moving stories of parents who broke through barriers to provide educational support for their children, and tales of despair and victory as adults struggled to cope with the stigma of illiteracy and emerged into society's dominant culture of the written word.

Pragmatic and data-driven, BRIDGE TO LITERACY issues an inspiring call to action to realize a vision of literacy in America, with integrated efforts to diagnose difficulties and to teach reading at every age using scientifically based methods. The prevention and eradication of illiteracy is possible. We have the research and the knowledge. All we need now is the commitment and the will to act.