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Podcast Episode: 464

43 Million Americans Can’t Read Well Enough to Work (Here’s the Fix)

By Army of Normal Folks

September 1, 2026 95 min

43 Million Americans Can’t Read Well Enough to Work (Here’s the Fix)

Nearly 2/3 of American kids aren’t reading proficiently by 4th grade. And if they don’t catch up, – they’re far more likely to drop out, struggle to find work, and cycle through a lifetime of limited options. Right now in the United States, 43 million adults can’t read well enough to hold a basic job.

This week, Bill sits down with Tony Kriz, co-founder of the Children’s Literacy Project, who believes the solve for this crisis is normal folks like you. He wants you to give just one hour a week to sit with a struggling kid, read with them, and uplift them.

In this episode you’ll learn exactly why kids fall behind, what it takes to close the gap, and how normal folks like you can walk into a local school and make a real difference starting this week.

ARMY ACTIONS

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