July 28, 2024
State Strategies
As part of GLR Week 2024 from the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, Read On Arizona hosted a virtual panel on July 23 to discuss Arizona's comprehensive approach to improving early literacy outcomes, the significant progress we've made by working together, and priorities for the future.
Panel
- Terri Clark, State Literacy Director, Read On Arizona
- Heather Henderson, Chief Academic Officer, Arizona Charter Academy
- Sean Ross, Executive Director, Arizona State Board of Education
- Amber Skalsky, Program Director, The Steele Foundation
- Moderator: Lori Masseur, Director of Early Learning, Read On Arizona
Highlights
- From 2013 to 2022, Arizona was one of only six states to make gains in 4th grade reading (NAEP), improving from 45th to 28th among all states. "We're doing really innovative stuff, and it's really paying off." "We know it's working, we know the direction to head, and we're all heading in that direction together."
- With the right support and instruction, 95% of children can learn to read at grade level. "It's true. And if 95% can do it, our kids can do it."
- Evidence-based reading instruction and interventions work for all students, including English learners and students exhibiting characteristics of dyslexia.
- Arizona's K-3 reading legislation, Move On When Reading, has been an important catalyst. In addition to funding for staffing, evidence-based instructional and assessment materials, and professional development, Move On When Reading helps schools focus their approach, set specific goals, and use data to make good decisions. "It's not hard. There's nothing magical." "You just have to keep plugging away, step-by-step."
- Coaching and high-quality professional development in the science of reading is producing results. Reaching a critical mass of educators and school leaders trained in effective literacy practices is a priority. With training and having a coach on staff, "some districts have seen 125% improvement in their benchmark scores. "When you see positive data, your teachers get excited."
- Third grade is an important milestone, but "the early years and early grades are where the magic happens."
- Collaboration is vital, and Read On Arizona "is the secret sauce of our progress as a state."
- Read On Arizona will soon launch LitHubAZ, an online resource for effective, evidence-based literacy strategies, practices, and tools to support language and literacy development from birth through grade 12.
