The Fulton County school district has made significant progress in literacy, addressing the challenges that grew during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The district invested $90 million from COVID relief funds into the “Every Child Reads” program, aimed at ensuring that every student has access to the resources necessary to succeed in reading.
The Details: The “Every Child Reads” initiative, now in its second year, focuses on enhancing reading comprehension across all schools. By consolidating 20 previously used reading programs into a single, unified approach, the district has been able to provide consistent literacy education. This effort includes hiring 65 specially trained literacy coaches and implementing an 80-hour training course for 3,000 teachers and staff. The goal of the program is to have 95 percent of third graders reading at or above grade level.
By The Numbers: Results from the 2024 Georgia Milestones assessments are promising. Currently, 72 percent of third graders in the district are reading at or above grade level, an 8 percent increase over the state average. This marks significant progress from previous years when the pandemic caused a notable drop in reading proficiency. For example, students in the class of 2028, who entered ninth grade this year, saw their reading proficiency decline to 64.8 percent in 2022. However, targeted interventions have helped that number rebound to 80.3 percent.
In Context: These gains in literacy are especially important in the context of post-pandemic recovery. During the height of remote learning, many students fell behind, particularly in foundational skills like reading. The focus on literacy reflects a broader understanding that proficiency in reading is critical to students’ overall educational development. The district’s achievements in this area are not just a recovery but a leap forward, positioning students for continued success in their academic journeys.
Literacy Rates in Georgia: Georgia’s literacy rate stands at a concerning 76.4%, placing it 42nd nationally, while over a third (34.1%) of The Peach State’s third graders read below grade level. The median literacy rate for the U.S. is 88%
Why It Matters: Literacy is fundamental to all areas of learning. By improving literacy rates, the district is not only addressing immediate learning gaps but also laying the groundwork for long-term academic achievement. This approach ensures that students are equipped with the skills they need to excel in other subjects, setting a strong foundation for their future education and career paths.
What’s Next: The district will continue to monitor the progress of the “Every Child Reads” program, with the aim of reaching its 95 percent literacy goal for third graders. Plans include maintaining investment in literacy coaches and teacher training to sustain and build upon the progress made so far. As new academic standards are fully implemented, continued improvement in literacy rates and overall student performance across all subjects is expected.
