Read On Arizona

"Literacy is not simply an education issue—it's an economic imperative." That's the message from business leaders Sharon Harper, Chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies, and John Graham, Chairman and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings, published in a recent edition of the Phoenix Business Journal.

Third-grade reading proficiency is one of the most reliable predictors of future academic achievement, workforce readiness, and economic mobility. Yet only 36% of Arizona's third graders passed the most recent state assessment. That gap represents a workforce crisis.

Arizona Literacy Plan 2030 provides the roadmap. With a goal of 72% of third-graders reading at grade level by 2030, the plan outlines evidence-based strategies designed to help students become strong readers and succeed academically.

The proposed $2 million investment in literacy coaching is a strategic investment that will pay dividends for decades to come.
Arizona's future workforce is sitting in today's third-grade classrooms. Arizona needs to invest in proven ways to teach strong readers.

Read the full perspective from Harper and Graham: https://bit.ly/4tQMI9Z

Making sure our students can read is one of the most important shared responsibilities of educators, policymakers, and community leaders.

In Arizona, less than half of our third graders are reading proficiently. And, too often, educators don't have access to evidence-based professional learning and literacy coaching that research shows is effective in improving students' literacy outcomes.

Arizona Literacy Plan 2030 is a roadmap for changing that. It outlines the proven strategies and drivers - including expanding literacy coaching for educators - needed to reach our shared goal: 72% reading proficiently by the end of third grade by 2030.

Hear more about why literacy coaching is critical, especially in rural communities, from Yavapai County Superintendent Steve King and Cochise County Superintendent Jacqui Clay: https://bit.ly/4rKZtBX

Opinion: Want Better Student Readers? Here's How To Do It | Read On Arizona The state's Literacy Plan 2030 is a great way to help improve reading scores, but those teaching it need the right tools and support to make it work. By Steve King and Jacqui Clay Earlier this year, the Arizona State Board of Education took action to advance the priorities outlined in Arizona Litera...

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to pause to thank the dedicated teachers who nurture a love of reading and learning in children every day.

We want to recognize early childhood educators who lay the foundation for language and literacy skills during the most critical years of a child's development. Your work changes lives and creates lasting impact.

Thank you for being champions for children, families, and literacy across Arizona.

Parents are their children's first and most important teachers. With the right support, tools, and strategies, they can turn everyday moments into powerful learning opportunities that build the foundational literacy and language skills children need to start school ready to learn to read.

That's why Read On Chandler brought Make Way for Books Story School to their local literacy hub to bring families together, introduce children to the joy of books, and equip parents and families with practical ways to build literacy-rich interactions into everyday moments. This is the kind of work that builds strong readers from the start.

Learn more:

Arizona's literacy crisis: One Valley program is teaching parents to be their child's first reading teacher Story School coaches parents aiming to close the gap before kids ever set foot in a classroom.

The 74 is shining a well-deserved light on Arizona schools that are beating expectations for teaching literacy. Congratulations to the recognized schools:

Freedom Traditional Academy
Franklin Accelerated Academy East Campus
O.C. Johnson Elementary School
Richardson Elementary School
Alhambra Traditional School

And shout out to Camp Mohave Elementary School and Village Meadows Elementary School, who were recognized as exceptional.

These schools show what's possible when we commit to evidence-based strategies. Learn more: https://bit.ly/419QZt7

We’re continuing to highlight schools across the country that beat the expectations when teaching literacy.

Today, we recognize five schools in Arizona. Here are some Bright Spots:

Freedom Traditional Academy
Franklin Accelerated Academy East Campus
O.C. Johnson Elementary School
Richardson Elementary School
Alhambra Traditional School

We’ll be spotlighting more Bright Spots nationwide in the weeks ahead.

If you’re a teacher, staff member, parent or alum connected to one of these schools, share this post and help us celebrate your students’ hard work. If we tagged your school, we’d love for you to spread the word!

Parents are the "secret sauce" to children's learning, and spring break is a great opportunity to keep the momentum going! 📚

Sharing books around things you're already doing together — a bedtime routine, a trip to the park, a special outing — makes a real difference for young readers.

Right now, only 36% of Arizona third graders are reading at grade level. But small, consistent moments at home add up. Even 15–20 minutes of reading a day can help set children up for success.

Learn more about how families can keep the learning going over spring break:

🔗 https://azpbs.org/2026/03/read-on-arizona-backs-spring-break-reading-initiative-to-promote-literacy

Read on Arizona backs spring break reading initiative to promote literacy Read on Arizona is encouraging parents to read to their children while they are out of school during spring break.

Community Action Grant Spotlight: Expanding Access to Books in Buckeye

Read On Buckeye is supporting early literacy by expanding access to books through the Buckeye Library’s Grab and Go literacy kits. These materials give families with children from 3 years old to third grade tools and resources that encourage literacy and language development at home.

A Community Action Grant from Read On Arizona helped provide more books for more 2,000 children in Buckeye. Additional support for the community action grants was provided by Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust as well as the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative.

Thanks to Read On Buckeye partners for driving this important work: https://readonarizona.org/community/buckeye/

The research is clear: early math knowledge contributes to language and reading development. Count On Arizona is putting that knowledge to work.

Arizona State University and Arizona Department of Education recently convened the Count On Arizona community of practice to explore evidence-based instructional practices for early grade educators that support both numeracy and literacy development.

This kind of collaboration is what it takes to move the needle for Arizona's youngest learners. Learn more about Count On Arizona at https://readonarizona.org/news/count-on-arizona-focused-on-early-numeracy-and-early-literacy/