Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

Welcome to ‘What I Want to Know’, one of the most downloaded K-12 education podcasts in the country! Listen in with our host, Kevin P. Chavous, as he connects with innovators and leaders who share practical, transformative solutions to the biggest challenges in education today. As America rethinks the future of schooling, Kevin explores emerging needs and possibilities, for students and educators alike, through short, stimulating conversations. Subscribe to ‘What I Want to Know’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform, and leave a rating and review so we can bring you more of the topics you want to hear about!

  1. All Episodes
  2. 145. How can learning to read change lives? with literary advocate Oliver James

Mar 13, 2024

According to the Department of Education, more than 8 million Americans are considered functionally illiterate, meaning they cannot read and comprehend short texts or understand basic vocabulary. 

Illiteracy often leads to low self-esteem and isolation, as well as higher chances of unemployment and poverty.

What are the impacts of illiteracy? What factors influence literacy development? And how can learning to read change lives? 

Oliver James joins Kevin in this episode to share how learning to read can change lives. 

Meet Oliver:

Oliver James is a literacy advocate and social media influencer. In 2022, he began using TikTok to share his struggle with reading.

He has more than 300,000 TikTok followers and has formed a community focused on literacy and mental health.

This is, What I Want to Know.