Literacy
Reading proficiently by the end of third grade is the most important indicator of future student success.
Yet New York State is facing a literacy crisis — despite research showing that children can learn to read with instruction aligned with the science of reading, many New York students do not have access to such instruction.
In turn, students across New York State, especially Black, Latinx, and Native American students and students from low-income backgrounds, are denied the right to read.
Our Equity-Centered Approach
We convene the New York Campaign for Early Literacy to ensure the use of instruction aligned with the science of reading is prioritized at the state and district levels. The Campaign is a statewide movement designed to harness the collective voices of individuals and civil rights, education, parent, and nonprofit organizations and advocate for improved student reading outcomes.
Latest Resource
Brief: Back to Basics Curriculum Analysis: Progress, but Concerns Remain
These findings demonstrate both the power of state leadership and the need for stronger implementation. While the Back to Basics law pushed many districts to act, limited accountability and support have allowed inconsistent adoption to persist.
Featured Reports and Resources Over the Years
Report: The State of Early Literacy in Monroe County
Statement: NYSED and the Board of Regents' Vision for Literacy
Resource: Four Ways Parents & Caregivers Can Support Their Young Reader
Statement: Gov. Hochul's Literacy Proposal
Data Snapshot
In the 2024 NAEP test results,
%
of 4th graders scored Below Basic in reading, including 55% of Black students and 51% of Latinx students
In 2024,
%
of Black and Latinx students in grades 3-8 in NYS tested proficient on the statewide ELA assessments, as compared to 46% of all students.
More Resources
Testimony for New York City Council Committee on Education Fiscal Year 27 Preliminary Budget – Education
As the largest district in the state and nation, serving nearly 1 million students, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is a key focus of EdTrust-New York’s commitment to advancing equity-focused educational efforts across the state. Such investments are even more critical this year due to federal funding cuts and attacks on critical educational equity programs. The following are our top priorities for the FY27 budget.
New York Campaign for Early Literacy Policy Agenda 2026
The Campaign is celebrating its second anniversary this year and is calling on state leaders to make literacy a top state priority in 2026 and beyond. While the Campaign is appreciative of recent policy developments and investments in early literacy by the Governor, Legislature, and New York State Education Department, we believe bold state leadership is needed to make New York a national leader on this critical education and civil rights issue.
EdTrust-New York Finds Progress in NY Literacy Curriculum Alignment, but Warns Disproven Practices Still Persist
EdTrust-New York released a new analysis today showing that New York State has made progress in shifting toward evidence-based literacy instruction under the 2024 Back to Basics law but significant gaps remain, leaving hundreds of thousands of students without full access to instruction aligned with the science of reading. The New York Campaign for Early Literacy (NYCEL) is featuring this analysis as part of its Visions and Voices Literacy Advocacy Day to highlight the urgent need for stronger state action to improve reading outcomes for all students.
It Takes a Village to Raise a Reader: Reflections from the Leading Literacy Summit
New York has taken important steps to advance evidence-based literacy instruction, but lasting impact depends on how well educators are supported in implementation. This blog explores key takeaways from the inaugural Leading Literacy Summit, highlighting the role of collaboration, educator training, and community engagement in building a statewide literacy ecosystem grounded in the science of reading.
EdTrust-New York Statement on Assembly and Senate One-House Budget Proposals
EdTrust-New York welcomes the Assembly and Senate one-house budget bills and appreciates that both include support for several key educational equity priorities. These proposals invest in initiatives included in the Governor’s Executive Budget, such as universal child care, evidence-based math instruction, professional learning for math and reading educators, high-impact tutoring in math and reading, emergency aid for SUNY and CUNY students, and expanded financial aid through broader eligibility for the state’s Tuition Assistance Program.
EdTrust-New York Responds to Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State with Praise and Calls to Strengthen Educational Equity
Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address includes several important proposals aimed at advancing educational equity, with a strong emphasis on supporting New York’s children and their families through universal child care, investments in the Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS), higher education emergency aid, high-impact tutoring in reading and math, and professional learning aligned with the science of reading for in-service teachers.