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
Report: A Call to Action: The State of Early Literacy in New York
Our April 2023 report highlights a disjointed early literacy landscape in New York. The report elevates non-evidence-based practices in teaching of reading, and shares recommendations on how state and local leaders can address New York’s poor reading outcomes by anchoring reading and literacy instruction in the science of reading.
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.
Featured Reports and Resources Over the Years
Resource: Early Intervention Telehealth Recommendations
Blog: Racist Disparities in Health Care
Blog: How Better Screening and More Information Can Help New Mothers
Blog: Faced With Limited Resources, New Mothers Get By Finding Their Own Support
More Resources
Event Recap: Moving New York Forward: A Look at EdTrust-New York’s Recent Impact
On April 3, EdTrust-New York’s executive director Arlen Benjamin-Gomez joined Lisette Nieves, president of the Fund for the City of New York, and Denise Forte, president and CEO of EdTrust national, to discuss EdTrust-New York’s recent impact report and how the organization can build on the momentum to act with urgency and speak truth to power in the coming years.
EdTrust-New York Responds to One House Budget Bills with Support and a Call for Increased Investment in Education Equity
EdTrust-New York believes the state has not invested enough in an equitable, student-centered education system, despite some positive developments in the recently released One House Budget Bill.
Parent Voices: Two Districts, Two Different Approaches to Literacy Instruction
Literacy stakeholders, including parents and caregivers, are deeply impacted by the choices school districts make regarding curriculum and professional learning. One of the goals of the New York Campaign for Early Literacy is to emphasize the essential role parents and caregivers play in early literacy and to demonstrate how schools can empower families to support their children’s reading development.
New York Campaign for Early Literacy Celebrates Progress and Demands Stronger State Action to Address Literacy Crisis
While last year’s progress marked a starting point, New York must follow the example of other states that have made comprehensive, multi-year investments in the science of reading, beginning with the inclusion of $26 million this year to support the Campaign’s priorities in professional learning, curriculum, and teacher preparation.
EdTrust-New York: New NAEP Data Reveals Crisis in New York Schools with Persistent Gaps for Black and Latinx Students
Except for fourth grade math, New York’s NAEP scores in reading and math have stagnated or declined over the past 25 years. These results make it clear that current approaches, especially in middle grades, are failing students. We cannot continue with the same strategies and expect different outcomes.
A Letter from the Executive Director: The Power of You
A new year is upon us, and while many of us feel uncertain about the future, we know that when the education community comes together to solve problems, we create change.