California Reveals Plans to Boost Literacy as 1 in 4 Struggle with Reading
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond have announced new resources to boost literacy in the state—where almost a third of adults struggle with basic reading.
In a news release last week, the California Department of Education announced the California Literacy-Biliteracy Professional Learning Pack, describing it as "a comprehensive suite of resources" designed to enhance literacy instruction and support educators across the state in improving student outcomes, particularly among younger readers.
A file photo shows a library in a school in New Jersey.
A file photo shows a library in a school in New Jersey.Why It Matters
California has one of the worst literacy rates in the country. An estimated 28 percent of adults have the lowest literacy level in English, according to the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies.
Meanwhile, the latest test results from the 2023-24 school year found that a majority of students in grades three to eight did not meet the standards for reading. Only in 11th grade did more than half of students meet or exceed state standards.
What To Know
The learning pack includes two literacy guidance documents, according to the state Department of Education.
The first is the California Literacy Roadmap's Literacy Content Blocks for English-Medium Classrooms, designed for transitional kindergarten through grade five. The blocks reflect "an intentional approach to literacy that promotes carefully sequenced initial instruction, appropriate practice and reinforcement, intervention as necessary, and meaningful application in English language arts and other content areas," the department said in the news release.
The second document is the Preschool Through Third Grade Learning Progressions for Language and Literacy Development, which outlines key developmental milestones and offer examples of "play-based, inquiry-based instruction to support early literacy in both English and students' home languages."
The department said the learning tools have been endorsed by a board coalition of experts in literacy and biliteracy instruction, including The Reading League, the California Association for Bilingual Education, and Californians Together.
What People Are Saying
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement: "In California, we know that learning to read is the start of the pathway to success. The Literacy Roadmap highlights our multifaceted approach to improving literacy for California's students, including current and proposed initiatives.
"When added to our other investments in literacy coaches and reading specialists at high-needs schools and professional development for teachers, we are doubling down on our commitment to ensure no student falls behind in their reading."
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said in a statement: "Literacy is foundational to lifelong learning and academic success. With this release, California takes a significant step forward in providing educators with the tools they need to foster strong literacy and biliteracy development from the earliest years of learning as we move the needle on student achievement, particularly for our youngest readers."
California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher criticized the plan in a statement to The Center Square: "This is classic Newsom. Dress up failure in a bunch of edu-buzzwords and hope no one notices kids still can't read. There's no mention of the state's collapsing test scores. No push for real phonics-based instruction."
What's Next
The California Department of Education said educators are encouraged to incorporate the materials from the learning packs into their summer and school-year professional development plans.
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