Atlanta, August 11, 2025
News Summary
Georgia’s statewide literacy initiative is yielding positive outcomes in elementary schools, particularly at Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy. Guided by literacy coach Ebony Fulgham, the school has recorded a 29-point increase in third graders reading at or above grade level. This aligns with a statewide trend, as schools utilizing literacy coaches see average improvements of 15% in reading scores. State officials highlight the importance of early literacy and plan to expand tutoring programs and implement new reading standards to ensure sustainable growth in reading abilities.
Atlanta – A year into Georgia’s statewide literacy initiative, education officials are reporting promising results in reading scores, especially in underperforming elementary schools. The Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy in Atlanta is among the 60 schools that benefited from a state-funded literacy coach program, demonstrating significant improvements in student reading abilities.
Under the guidance of literacy coach Ebony Fulgham, Hollis Academy has seen a remarkable 29-point increase in the percentage of third graders reading at or above grade level. This increase aligns with a statewide trend, where schools that implemented literacy coaches experienced an average of 15% improvement in reading scores. Coaches like Fulgham play a crucial role in facilitating collaboration among teachers and students, encouraging idea exchanges aimed at enhancing reading skills.
State officials underscore the importance of early literacy as research shows that children who cannot read by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. In response, all kindergarten through third-grade teachers in Georgia have now received training in the Science of Reading, a structured approach emphasizing phonics that supports reading development.
Looking ahead, Principal Adib Shakir of Hollis Academy is optimistic about further progress as the new school year approaches. However, despite these advancements, the latest 2025 Milestone report reveals that reading scores still lag behind pre-pandemic levels, prompting the need for continued support and resources.
State Superintendent Richard Woods has expressed encouragement over the early gains reported in reading scores and has outlined plans to introduce new reading standards across all K-12 education in the state. In the coming months, Georgia plans to expand tutoring programs and maintain literacy coaches in schools needing additional support, aiming to sustain the momentum for improvement.
In addition to literacy, state math scores have shown progress in every grade, except for a slight 1% decline in third grade. Student performance in social studies and science has also been on an upward trajectory. Notably, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) stands out as the only large urban school district in the U.S. to report significant gains in fourth-grade math and reading scores on the recent 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
APS fourth graders experienced a 7% increase in basic-level reading performance and an 8% rise in math scores from 2022. Superintendent Bryan Johnson credits these achievements to a focused approach on the Science of Reading and strong collaboration among teachers and community members. In 2024, Georgia lawmakers mandated that school districts align literacy practices with this approach, further emphasizing its importance.
The pilot program focusing on the Science of Reading has now been expanded to all APS elementary schools, with an investment of approximately $12 million. Despite overall improvements in academic performance, the national NAEP results reported flat eighth-grade reading scores and a drop in math by 7 percentage points. Approximately 55% of APS students are economically disadvantaged, leading to ongoing efforts to bridge educational gaps, particularly among vulnerable subgroups. APS Principal Timmy Foster underscores the necessity of preschool access for economically disadvantaged students to mitigate early childhood education gaps.
Chronic absenteeism figures in Georgia have decreased to 19.5%, the lowest level seen since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a positive outlook for educational recovery. APS aims to implement uniform instruction and ensure highly trained teachers are in place to narrow achievement disparities, fostering equity across the district. Meanwhile, ongoing improvements in student confidence and engagement in literacy have been noted by educators who have embraced this new instructional methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Georgia’s statewide literacy initiative?
Georgia’s statewide literacy initiative aims to improve reading scores, particularly in low-performing elementary schools, by providing state-funded literacy coaches and training teachers in the Science of Reading approach.
What improvements have been observed in schools since implementing the initiative?
Schools implementing literacy coaches have experienced an average 15% improvement in reading scores, with some schools, like Hollis Academy, reporting a 29-point increase in third graders reading at or above grade level.
How does the Science of Reading approach help?
The Science of Reading approach focuses on phonics and evidence-based strategies that support the development of reading skills, helping teachers to effectively teach reading to students.
What are the future plans for literacy in Georgia?
Georgia plans to expand tutoring programs, maintain literacy coaches in schools requiring support, and introduce new reading standards for K-12 education in order to continue improving literacy rates.
| Key Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Statewide Literacy Initiative | Aim to improve reading scores in low-performing schools. |
| Literacy Coaches | 60 elementary schools received coaches, leading to a 15% average increase in reading scores. |
| Science of Reading Training | All K-3 teachers trained in phonics-based reading strategies. |
| Performance Gains | Hollis Academy saw a 29-point increase in reading proficiency among third graders. |
| Future Investments | Plans to expand tutoring, maintain coaches, and introduce new reading standards. |
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Additional Resources
- Atlanta News First
- Wikipedia: Literacy
- 11Alive
- Google Search: Georgia Literacy Initiative
- AJC
- Google Scholar: Science of Reading
- The Southerner Online
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Reading
- EdTech Innovation Hub
- Google News: Atlanta Public Schools literacy
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