With the significant infusion of dollars now available to both states and school districts, we have a unique opportunity to finally reduce high rates of illiteracy, particularly in populations which have been traditionally underserved by an inequitable system of education. Instead of a third of all children entering 4th grade still unable to read at a basic level, the application of evidence based instruction can reduce that number to as low as 5%. That's a challenge no school, district, or state can afford to continue to ignore.
This document lays out specific policies that states and reading advocates can pursue to ensure that American Rescue Plan funds deliver as intended.
