The Center for Literacy & Learning Hosts Annual Literacy Day at the Capitol
Education Chairmen Recognized for Their Work to Improve Literacy in Louisiana.
By Dr. John Wyble, CEO of The Center for Literacy & Learning
The Center for Literacy & Learning hosted the annual Literacy Day at the Capitol at the Louisiana Legislature. As part of the events of the day, House Education Chairman Lance Harris and Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields were recognized as Literacy MVPs for their work as chairmen this past term.
During the past term, Chairmen Fields and Harris played an integral role in overseeing key literacy reforms that have led to Louisiana making gains in reading attainment. Through the literacy coach program, the Early Literacy Commission, and the banning of three-cueing, Louisiana has begun to move in a positive direction.
Literacy Day at the Capitol is hosted by The Center for Literacy & Learning each year to raise awareness and encourage legislative involvement in raising literacy rates in Louisiana. Events during the day include recognizing legislative literacy MVPs, awareness around literacy initiatives happening across the state, and a social media campaign called “Get Caught Reading” that highlights legislators and other staff reading Louisiana-themed children’s books.
On this day at the capitol, the rotunda is decorated with displays highlighting The Center’s literacy and learning programs such as Louisiana Reads!, the Literacy Coach Program, Cornerstones CDA, Lit Academy, the Science of Reading Learning Academy: Growing Reading Brains, and Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning®.
“We know that only 1 in 4 students are reading on grade level in Louisiana and that is not acceptable,” said Dr. John Wyble, CEO of The Center for Literacy & Learning. “If we are going to reverse this statistic, it will take a wraparound approach with an emphasis on family engagement to create an environment of continual learning.”
Although the Louisiana Legislature has made great strides in bringing reforms to literacy, there is still work to be done. Only 28% of Louisiana’s fourth-grade students are reading proficiently. Students who are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school, and those who have not mastered at least a basic level of reading proficiency are nearly six times as likely to leave school without earning a diploma.
“One bright spot that has led to gains in literacy is the Literacy Coach Program which was created in 2021,” said DeJunne’ Clark Jackson, President of The Center for Literacy & Learning. “School districts supported by The Center’s literacy specialists have outpaced other districts in gains and we hope to reach more in the coming years through this program and other literacy wraparound services we provide.”
Dr. John E. Wyble, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
john@mycll.org