Every 10 years The National Endowment for the Arts asks over 17,000 adults from 18 to over 75 if, during the past 12 months, they read any novels, short stories, plays, or poetry in their leisure time (not for work or school).

In the latest 2002 survey, barely half said they read any book in the last year, and less than half read any literary book - the proportion is down from 56 to 46 percent since 1982. Men are down to 37 percent and women are down to 55.

The lower the age, the lower the reading habit and the faster it is dropping. In the 18 to 24 age group, reading is down 28 percent since 1982. The electronic age is taking over, and most of it is a mindless squandering of time.

At school, reading level is one of the best predictors of success, but getting students to take up the reading habit has always been a challenge for teachers and parents alike. If a student's reading assignments or his reading skill doesn't keep up with his growing interests, regular reading drops off.

Both parents and teachers can become tired of cajoling a balking student. Many students will never pick up the skills and will go through life hiding their lack of reading skills and maneuvering around embarrassing situations that require reading.

There is help for poor readers of all ages. Our community libraries and schools have programs that encourage and help both good and poor readers. If you'd like to volunteer as a tutor, ask at your library for the name and phone number of the nearest Literacy Volunteers agency. For disadvantaged students, mandatory testing can be discouraging and the emphasis on standardized learning may discourage important creative learning. But the frequent specialized quizzes of the reading programs provide a motivation for students to seek out books to read and faraway places to visit through literature.

The extra benefit will come in meeting the demands of future jobs and daily life. Improved reading skill leads to creative thinking habits that will help your child correctly evaluate the slogans of advertisers, political candidates and used car dealers.

Become aware of what your child's school is doing to promote general reading, and what suggestions teachers have for your son or daughter. Keep a list of exciting titles at home for library trips when they say, "There's nothing to do!" And make a list for your own pleasure, too.