LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - It's a statistic that affects every aspect of the news we bring you at Today's THV from the economy, to health, and even to crime.
More than 20 percent of Arkansas adults read at or below a fifth grade level.
Tuesday, we tackled this issue head-on with THV's Craig O'Neill and Pam Baccam live at the Little Rock Public Library for "THV at 5," and "THV at 6."
Craig said, "This is the starting point for what we hope is a turnaround in the reading level in Arkansas."
The state needs thousands of volunteers willing to go into schools and help teachers teach kids how to read. The goal? To have all Arkansas third graders reach their grade-reading level by 2020.
In fact, community leaders and first lady Ginger Beebe are encouraging people to help out by volunteering in schools for half an hour to an hour each week.
(http://on.kthv.com/O9yGfO)
On "THV at 6," Craig spoke with volunteer Natalie Darnell who is working to raise the literacy level among adults in Arkansas, as the greatest determining factor of a child's ability to read is often the reading level of his or her mother.
To get involved: http://www.literacylittlerock.org/
Twitter: @THVLips, @PBaccam