As parents, we all want the best for our children, and that starts with a strong foundation in education. But did you know that in North Carolina, nearly 23% of third-grade students in traditional elementary schools were slated to repeat their grade last year due to low reading proficiency? This issue disproportionately affects children from marginalized racial and economic backgrounds, with devastating lifelong consequences.
The challenges are immense, but there’s hope. Together, we can push for meaningful changes to ensure every child has access to quality education and the opportunity to succeed.
The Stakes Are High
Children who don’t master reading by the end of third grade face significant hurdles. They’re more likely to struggle in middle and high school, less likely to graduate, and face diminished job prospects as adults. This affects not only individual lives but also our state’s economic health and social fabric.
What’s more alarming is the equity gap. Schools with predominantly Black or economically disadvantaged students have significantly higher grade retention rates—up to 41% in some cases. These disparities are not about ability but about access. Children in underfunded schools often lack experienced teachers and tailored literacy instruction, creating a cycle of disadvantage.
Why Early Literacy Matters
Research shows that investing in early literacy is one of the most effective ways to close educational gaps. Literacy gaps are already evident by kindergarten, but they widen dramatically by third grade. Children with strong reading skills by this milestone are far more likely to succeed academically and professionally.
What Needs to Change?
North Carolina has made strides with initiatives like Science of Reading-aligned training for teachers, but we need to go further. Here’s how you can help advocate for equitable education:
- Invest in High-Quality Teachers: Support policies that incentivize experienced teachers to work in high-need schools and provide ongoing coaching and professional development.
- Equity in School Resources: Advocate for fair distribution of funding, instructional materials, and literacy coaches to schools serving marginalized communities.
- Accountability Through Data: Push for the creation of equity dashboards to track progress in narrowing literacy gaps and ensure transparency.
- Support Small-Group Instruction: Smaller class sizes and targeted interventions can make a huge difference in helping struggling readers.
Your Voice Matters
When we invest in early literacy, we’re not just helping individual children—we’re building a stronger, more equitable North Carolina. Let’s work together to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Take action today. Your voice can be the spark that changes a child’s future.
- Educating Yourself and Others: Stay informed about the issues and solutions. Join NCECF’s email list to receive future advocacy packages and calls to action.
- Engaging with Policymakers: Reach out to state legislators to share these resources:
- Advocate for Educational Equity: Contact your state legislators to share this NCECF article highlighting the urgent need for equitable early literacy instruction in North Carolina. Encourage them to review the data on racial and economic disparities in third-grade reading proficiency and take action to address resource inequities in high-poverty schools.
- Support Transparency and Accountability: Urge policymakers to use the NCECF equity dashboards that provide disaggregated data on early literacy outcomes. Share them to emphasize the importance of tracking progress in narrowing opportunity gaps and ensuring all children have access to quality education.
- Promote Targeted Teacher Support: Reach out to education leaders to advocate for policies prioritizing the placement of experienced and certified teachers in under-resourced schools. Use the findings in this report to underscore the critical need for professional development, coaching, and incentives to attract skilled educators to high-poverty schools.
- Joining Advocacy Groups: Collaborate with organizations like NCECF to amplify your voice and participate in coordinated advocacy efforts.
- Sharing Personal Stories: Personal anecdotes about the impact of access to high-quality schools and educators on your family can be powerful in illustrating the need for investment in public schools. Posting on social media and tagging your legislators can get attention.
Now is the time for parents, teachers, caregivers, and policymakers to act and ensure every child in North Carolina has access to the educational opportunities they deserve. Together, we can make universal, high-quality preschool a reality and enjoy the benefits for years to come. Read the full report here.
About the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation
The NC Early Childhood Foundation is driven by a bold – and achievable – vision: Each North Carolina child has a strong foundation for life-long health, education, and well-being, supported by a comprehensive and equitable care and education system, from prenatal through third grade. We build understanding, lead collaboration, and advance policies to ensure each North Carolina child is on track for lifelong success by the end of third grade.
Please be sure to subscribe to our biweekly newsletter and consider making a donation today to help us transform the lives of North Carolina children and their families.