Can Arizona boost 3rd grade reading proficiency from 36% to 72% in just 4 years?

PHOENIX — Only 36% of Arizona third graders are reading proficiently, according to the Arizona Progress Meter.

The data tracker from the Center for the Future of Arizona looks at the current data alongside a statewide goal to raise that percentage to 72% by 2030.

Lori Masseur, director of early learning with Read On Arizona, said the goal might seem unattainable, but there are ways to increase those numbers.

“All is not lost as long as we’re dedicated and committed to doing the hard work and scaling up those evidence-based practices … the research tells us that with the right intervention and supports, 95% of children can be proficient readers and reading on grade level (by 2030),” she said.

The state’s literacy rate did increase by six percentage points from 2021 to 2022. In the past two years, that percentage has dropped by five points.

Fewer Arizona third graders are reading proficiently

Masseur added that COVID-19 had a large impact on the state’s literacy rates, and students are still being affected today.

“Those fourth graders were learning how to read behind screens at the height of the COVID pandemic,” she said.

Masseur added that chronic absenteeism rates are also partially to blame for lower literacy, with students missing essential instruction time.

“What I think is really important for us to remember is that learning to read is actually a very complex skill. The brain is not hardwired for reading. The brain is hardwired for language and is building vocabulary pieces, and learning to read is actually about the culmination of skills built over time,” she said.

What is being done to help more students read proficiently?

Masseur explained that Read On Arizona uses five strategies to try to increase reading levels: increasing literacy coaches, using evidence-based curriculum, reducing chronic absenteeism, supporting teachers and increasing access to quality early learning.

Masseur said that with a new literacy grant from the Arizona Department of Education and a focus on that evidence-based curriculum, Arizona schools are starting to see increased growth.

“We have seen schools who had very low proficiency rates see incredible growth as measured by their K-3 benchmark data,” she said. “And that growth is starting to translate into their third grade reading proficiency data.”

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

Related

A new literacy plan lays out steps to improve Arizona’s reading rates by 2030Just 41% of third graders in Arizona are reading at grade levelPeoria Unified board member questions quality of training, alleges sex scandal cover-upPeoria Unified governing board members deny accusations surrounding teacher sex caseArizona judge rejects Republican effort to block ESA reform ballot initiative; appeal plannedMore school closures could be coming in the West Valley