A Read for the Future: "All Access with Andy Garcia" and The Literacy Lab Examine the National Literacy Crisis

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "All Access with Andy Garcia" and The Literacy Lab have partnered to examine the ongoing national literacy crisis in a new segment set to film later this year. This program will offer viewers a detailed look at the systemic challenges and explore a model that addresses this critical issue by empowering future educators.

This insightful segment is designed to inform Public Television audiences about the complexity of the literacy crisis, which has deep roots and affects multiple generations. It will highlight how low literacy proficiency and lack of access to sufficient resources follows individuals from childhood into adulthood, impacting their ability to participate fully in economic and democratic processes. The program will feature The Literacy Lab's strategic approach, which focuses on providing individualized literacy instruction to children in early childhood and preschool. This is done through a Fellowship model that recruits and trains talented emerging leaders, many of whom go on to pursue careers in education, thereby expanding the teacher pipeline. The segment will demonstrate how this dual-impact strategy—helping students directly while also supporting the next generation of educators—creates a ripple effect of positive change. It will also explore The Literacy Lab's commitment to innovation as they adapt to meeting the changing needs of students, schools, and communities.

"The Literacy Lab is honored to partner with 'All Access with Andy Garcia' to bring attention to the national literacy crisis. We believe literacy is a human right and the pathway to liberation for all people. Lack of access to literacy is generational, systemic, and largely misunderstood. This segment is an opportunity to shine a spotlight, raise much needed awareness, and create a movement for transformative change." ~ Dr. Heather Jenkins, President & CEO, The Literacy Lab

The segment will show how this targeted instruction provides a strong foundation for children as early as age three, ensuring they develop essential skills before they reach the third-grade milestone, where the focus shifts from learning to read to reading to learn. It will also provide concrete statistics, such as the fact that only 31% of all U.S. fourth graders are reading at a proficient level, and that students who are not proficient readers by the third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. The program will also cover the impact of literacy on critical thinking and overall comprehension, a topic that has become increasingly relevant in the digital age. By examining these factors, the segment aims to provide a clearer understanding of the profound societal consequences of low literacy and the urgent need to address it. Beyond the numbers, the segment will also illustrate how foundational literacy skills are essential for analyzing information, differentiating between fact and opinion, and synthesizing complex texts—skills that are critical for civic participation in a modern democracy.

The program will shed light on the personal and emotional toll that not having foundational literacy skills take on individuals, showing how The Literacy Lab's work not only improves academic outcomes but also fosters confidence and self-efficacy. By showcasing this unique approach, the segment aims to inform a broad audience, from community advocates to potential educators, about an innovative and effective path toward a more literate and engaged society.

About "All Access with Andy Garcia": "All Access with Andy Garcia" is a Public Television program that showcases the stories behind innovative companies and their contributions to various sectors. Hosted by the acclaimed actor Andy Garcia, the program provides insightful and engaging content designed to inform and inspire a wide audience. Learn more at: www.allaccessptv.com

About The Literacy Lab: The Literacy Lab is a national non-profit organization working to end the national literacy crisis by striving to ensure that all people have access to evidence-based literacy development to unlock opportunities for success in school and life. By placing highly trained Fellows in early childhood centers and schools, The Literacy Lab provides evidence-based, one-on-one, small group, and whole class literacy instruction. The organization's work not only improves student outcomes but also cultivates a new generation of leaders and educators, creating lasting community change. Learn more at: theliteracylab.org

SOURCE All Access