A core tenet of free markets is the free flow of information. At a fundamental level, for a fair transaction to occur, each party must understand what they stand to gain or lose. This principle underpins insider trading laws, consumer protection regulations, and contract enforcement. Historically, innovations that improved access to information—from the printing press to personal computers to the internet—have driven extraordinary gains in global wealth and human prosperity.

But what happens when the barrier is no longer access to information, but comprehension?

Oklahoma’s reading scores are among the worst in the nation. And the use of discredited reading methods like three-cueing threatens to push our kids even further behind. The long-term effects of illiteracy are profound and well-documented, impacting everything from employment to health outcomes. But one lesser-discussed consequence is the way illiteracy undermines the foundation of our free-market system.

There is growing resentment toward capitalism, with claims that the system is rigged. While some of this frustration is misdirected—such as blaming inflation solely on corporate greed—it often stems from a deeper lack of economic and financial literacy. In an increasingly complex financial landscape filled with cryptocurrency scams, influencer-backed “get-rich-quick” schemes, and misleading online content, being able to critically evaluate information is crucial.

Reading comprehension isn’t just about decoding words; it’s about decoding ideas. When people can’t fully understand what they’re reading, they become vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation. They may struggle to make sound retirement decisions or navigate contracts.

In this kind of environment, those with strong literacy skills gain a disproportionate advantage, and the gap between the informed and the misinformed will grow wider.

As that gap grows, so too does the perception that our free-market system itself is broken or unfair. And maybe those critics have a point, not with our economic system, but our educational one. What else but broken could you call a system that chooses to teach a failed method?