The consequences of low literacy can be dire. We can't keep waiting for children to fail before we provide them with the help they need. Instead, we need to change the way we think about addressing our students' literacy needs by enhancing the quality of instruction in the primary grades. Through effective early ready instruction, most long-term difficulties can be averted. Evidence-based prevention efforts save money, time, and effort, while yielding far better academic, social, and economic outcomes.