Newsom announces statewide plan deploying over one thousand literacy coaches

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the Golden State Literacy Plan, a strategy aimed at improving student reading achievement across California. The plan involves deploying over one thousand literacy coaches and specialists to schools with the highest needs in the state.

At Clinton Elementary School in Compton, Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of literacy for students' success. "Literacy is the pathway to success – 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," he stated.

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond highlighted recent efforts in literacy improvement, noting that funding has been allocated for literacy coaches and reading specialists at 803 sites across 45 counties. He expressed gratitude towards Governor Newsom for his continued support. “We are implementing a strategy to move the needle on literacy,” Thurmond said.

Linda Darling-Hammond, President of the State Board of Education, described the Golden State Literacy Plan as a significant milestone in enhancing literacy education. She pointed out that effective instruction requires early language development, high-quality curriculum materials, and professional development for teachers.

California's progress in literacy since adopting its curriculum framework has been noteworthy despite pandemic setbacks. From 2011 to 2022, California saw substantial improvements in eighth-grade reading achievement on national assessments.

The Newsom Administration has made investments supporting evidence-based literacy initiatives such as hiring literacy coaches and conducting annual screenings for reading difficulties starting from kindergarten through second grade.

Proposed investments include $500 million for TK-12 Literacy and Mathematics Coaching, $378.6 million additional funding for learning recovery grants, $40 million more for screening young students' reading difficulties annually, among other allocations aimed at supporting universal transitional kindergarten access by 2025-26.

Governor Newsom's May Revision also includes $200 million one-time funding dedicated to professional learning in elementary school literacy instruction based on AB 1454 by Speaker Robert Rivas.