Adolescents entering the adult world in the 21st century will read and write more than at any other time in human history in order to perform their jobs, run their households, act as citizens, and conduct their personal lives, according to the International Reading Association, which also notes, "Adolescents need high levels of literacy to understand the vast amount of information available to them, and to fuel their imaginations so they can create the world of the future." However, achieving these levels of literacy is not always a simple task. Recognizing that literacy is the foundation for educational achievement, states across the U.S. are bolstering efforts to ensure that students are literate. This article looks at projects under way in Kentucky, North Carolina and Florida and the role that career and technical education (CTE) is playing in improving adolescent literacy.