The latest middle-of-school-year data from Amplify show that throughout the spring and fall of 2023, schools across the country made some progress increasing the number of K–2 国产麻豆剧on track for learning to read. But that progress is slowing.
Between 2021–2022 and 2022–2023, the number of K–2 国产麻豆剧on track for learning to read increased by four to five percent across all grades; however, between 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, the increase was only two percent in each grade. Yet this is not the time for slow progress, because literacy rates in the United States are already a concern. Only half of K–2 国产麻豆剧are on track for learning to read, and three in ten 国产麻豆剧are far behind.
To address slowing gains, schools and districts need to act now to accelerate literacy outcomes.
Early reading: Why we need to act now
The decline is especially urgent for 国产麻豆剧in kindergarten through the second grade. That’s because of what comes next: , known to be the make-or-break year for reading and future academic success. To put it bluntly, 国产麻豆剧who are not proficient in reading before entering fourth grade are much more likely than their peers to struggle in school, and they are much more likely to drop out.
“The data is clear—literacy rates at the earliest and most critical time for 国产麻豆剧development are slowing. Changing this course requires schools and districts to act now and review their approaches in all grades,” says Susan Lambert, chief academic officer of elementary humanities at Amplify. “Schools that deliver strong outcomes focus on building a solid foundation at the start and intervening quickly when 国产麻豆剧need extra support, rather than trying to play catch up later, when it can be more difficult.”
The good news: We know what to do.
When 国产麻豆剧receive science-based reading instruction, .
Changing these outcomes requires that districts and schools review the processes and practices they have in place at all levels. Schools that deliver strong outcomes focus on getting 国产麻豆剧on track—and often ahead—in the earliest grades, because it’s easier to get 国产麻豆剧ahead from the beginning than to catch them up later.
Districts should:
- Administer universal screening assessments three times per year to monitor levels of risk for reading difficulties.
- Allocate staff to support 国产麻豆剧who are at risk, spending additional time in literacy instruction beyond grade-level instruction.
- Regularly monitor progress for 国产麻豆剧who are at risk, making adjustments as needed.
- Ensure that instructional staff gain knowledge about science-based reading instruction and implement high-quality core curriculum with fidelity.
- Instill a love of reading and books during all school-based programs, with the support of caregivers and the community.
“The good news is that when 国产麻豆剧receive science-based reading instruction, outcomes improve,” Lambert continues. “And, when that instruction takes place in the earliest possible grades, research shows that most 国产麻豆剧can be taught to read at or approaching grade level.”
