State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt recently reported to Council of State members, including Gov. Roy Cooper, that North Carolina’s kindergarten through third-grade students have surpassed the national average in literacy assessments for three consecutive years. This success has been attributed to the Excellent Public Schools Act, signed by Cooper in 2021, which mandates literacy instruction based on the science of reading. Truitt emphasized that the legislation has helped address the previous ineffective methods of teaching reading, resulting in improved student performance.
Under the Act, assessments were implemented for over 468,000 students, and teachers participated in LETRS training, focusing on phonics-based approaches to literacy instruction. Truitt highlighted the significant growth in literacy skills among African American, Hispanic, and American Indian students, emphasizing the importance of closing achievement gaps to ensure success beyond high school.
Despite Cooper’s previous veto of similar legislation in 2019, he now acknowledges the effectiveness of the science of reading and bipartisan efforts to improve literacy education. The Carolina Partnership for Reform noted Cooper’s change of heart may have been influenced by a budget dispute, but stressed the importance of implementing effective reading curricula to prevent further setbacks in learning.
As Truitt’s term comes to an end, she expressed hope that her successor will continue to prioritize teachers’ training in effective reading instruction. Although she lost in the primary, her focus on literacy and student success remains a core aspect of her legacy. In the upcoming general election, Michelle Morrow will face Democrat Mo Green, with the future of literacy education in North Carolina hanging in the balance.
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