Parents: I’ve got bad news, and I’ve got good news.

The bad news is that although student performance scores are approaching pre-pandemic levels, not even half of third graders (48.6 percent) are reading at grade level. Nor are other grades performing measurably better: The most recent numbers indicate that only about one out of every two kids (51.3 percent) is reading proficiently by the end of eighth grade.

If this concerns you, you’re not alone. The good news is that just by reading to your kids, you can make a difference.

To their credit, North Carolina policymakers have acknowledged that low student achievement in reading is a problem that must be addressed. Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt has made using the “science of reading” — an approach to reading instruction grounded in neuroscience that focuses on “phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension” — one of the cornerstones of her tenure.

Also, state lawmakers set aside $114 million to train more than 44,000 teachers in phonics-based instruction. In so doing, policymakers hoped to follow the example of states like Mississippi, whose students experienced eye-popping gains after the state passed a bill implementing the science of reading.

Early reports indicate that North Carolina’s efforts to actualize the science of reading in public schools may be bearing fruit, but this isn’t the time to rest on our laurels. Throughout the state, tens of thousands of kids still aren’t reading at grade level, and parents are right to be concerned. After all, the ability to read is crucial for kids’ future academic, personal, and professional success.

So, if you’re a parent, what can you do to foster a love of reading in your kids and set them up to be proficient readers? One of the best — and most cost effective — things you can do is to read to your kids regularly.

With inflation and the rising costs of household necessities weighing heavily on many parents’ minds, reading is an activity that doesn’t have to break the bank. Used bookstores can be a treasure trove of affordable, gently used, family-friendly classics. Local libraries are also a great way to encourage kids’ love of reading without a hefty price tag. In addition to their physical offerings, libraries usually have a good selection of eBooks, and many host summer reading challenges that let kids log their reading time in exchange for prizes. Some even give kids the chance to earn a free book.

Don’t own an e-reader or live near a library? Some libraries will even bring their books to you. Wake County, for example, has a Bookmobile and pop-up libraries that make reading more easily accessible for members of the community.

Recognizing the importance of early literacy, the private sector has also taken steps to encourage reading. Barnes & Noble’s summer reading challenge lets kids earn a free book, and the behemoth bookseller also offers more than 5,000 free eBooks for kids, which can be accessed with a Nook device or app. Panda Express and Pizza Hut also incentivize kids to meet reading goals.

Churches, nonprofit organizations, and other community programs often play a role in connecting kids with books, too.

Can’t see yourself squeezing in one more thing with all the other demands on your time? Start somewhere. Even 15 minutes a day at bedtime could make a difference. You might even find that you look forward to it.

By doing so, you’ll be setting your children up for academic success by increasing their vocabulary and reading comprehension, fostering greater concentration and diligence, and improving critical thinking skills. If that wasn’t enough, it will also strengthen family ties, promote positive socialization, and encourage creativity.

The importance of this issue can’t be overstated, and there isn’t a moment to lose. By reading at home, parents and guardians can take an important and inexpensive step in aiding the academic progress of their children. If you’re frustrated with disengaged kids and teenagers and want to open up the world to them, please read to your kids. They’ll thank you one day.