COMPTON — State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond says Gov. Gavin Newsom’s newly unveiled Golden State Literacy Plan is an “encouraging milestone.”
According to the governor’s office, the plan is central to California’s push to improve reading skills statewide, particularly in underserved communities.
Announced June 8 at Clinton Elementary School in Compton, the billion-dollar initiative is designed to expand evidence-based literacy instruction and deploy more than 1,000 literacy coaches and specialists to the state’s highest-need schools. The plan also funds early reading screenings, professional development for educators and the continued rollout of universal transitional kindergarten.
“The Golden State Literacy Plan is an encouraging milestone in our ongoing quest to improve literacy education, making sure it’s effective, meaningful, and engaging for all of our students,” Darling-Hammond said during the event.
She outlined the framework that will support student success.
“We know effective literacy instruction requires early language development; diagnosis of student needs and progress; high-quality curriculum and materials; and preparation, professional development, and coaching for teachers so that they understand the reading process thoroughly and become adept at addressing diverse student needs, including those of English learners.”
Newsom’s plan builds on existing investments, including $500 million already allocated for literacy coaches and $6.8 billion in learning recovery funds to address academic and emotional setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
California has shown measurable progress in reading achievement over the past decade. Between 2011 and 2022, the state saw the largest gains in eighth grade reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress nationwide.
“Literacy is the pathway to success,” Newsom said. “All of California’s kids deserve to discover the joys and benefits of reading and the power to formulate and express their ideas. I’m proud to unveil the Golden State Plan for Literacy today to give teachers, schools, and students the power to read — and succeed.”
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said literacy has the power to unlock countless doors for students and transform their lives.
“We are implementing a strategy to move the needle on literacy, which has already funded literacy coaches and reading specialists at 803 sites across 45 counties and has provided professional learning to nearly 4,000 educators within just this past year.” Thurmond said. “I thank Governor Newsom for his partnership in this work and for proposing a budget this year that builds upon these critical investments in our children’s futures.”
“As all of these elements are being strengthened in California, we are seeing progress that will accelerate in the years to come,” Darling-Hammond said.
Bo Tefu, a reporter for California Black Media, contributed to this story.
