Building a Strong Foundation: Early Literacy in Schools

 


Early literacy serves as the bedrock for a child’s educational journey. It is well understood that by the end of third grade, students transition from learning to reading to reading to learning. Without a solid foundation in literacy, students are at risk of academic struggles that can persist throughout their school years and beyond. Addressing early literacy is critical to ensuring long-term success in school and life.

In this article, we’ll explore national and state-level strategies, including recent developments in Michigan, to address early literacy challenges and offer action steps schools can take to improve literacy outcomes.

The Urgency of Early Literacy

Research consistently demonstrates that students who do not read proficiently by the end of third grade are significantly more likely to struggle academically and eventually drop out of school. The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s report on reading proficiency highlighted that students who fall behind in reading are four times more likely to leave school without a diploma. This statistic underlines the need to focus on literacy in the early years.

Actionable Steps for Schools to Support Early Literacy

Here are some key strategies and approaches that schools and districts can take to foster literacy development from early childhood through the primary grades:

  1. Expand Access to High-Quality Early Childhood Education: Nationally, high-quality pre-K programs are a game-changer in preparing children for success in school. A 2021 study from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) found that children attending high-quality pre-K programs demonstrate significant literacy, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness gains. Expanding access to early childhood education is critical, especially in underserved communities. Programs like Head Start and state-funded pre-K initiatives like Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) provide children with essential early learning experiences in literacy-rich environments.
  2. Implement Phonics-Based Literacy Instruction: Phonics remains one of the most effective strategies for teaching early reading skills. Decoding and understanding the relationship between letters and sounds is fundamental for building fluency. An Institute of Education Sciences report concluded that phonics-based instruction improves reading outcomes for young students, especially when paired with comprehension exercises and vocabulary building. Districts nationwide have adopted successful phonics programs such as Reading Horizons and Fundations, which help children develop critical reading skills systematically.
  3. Early Screening and Intervention: Identifying at-risk students for reading difficulties is essential. Many schools nationwide use early literacy screening tools like DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) to track student progress. When identified early, students can receive targeted interventions that prevent small gaps from becoming significant obstacles. Michigan’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is an example of how districts can build structured systems to assess and provide student interventions based on individual needs.
  4. Engage Families in Literacy Efforts: Literacy growth happens inside and outside the classroom. National research highlights the importance of family engagement in developing literacy. Parents who read to their children and model literacy activities provide a foundation for more substantial academic outcomes. Programs like Raising A Reader, which engages families in developing home reading routines, have successfully improved early literacy. In Michigan, resources like the Read at Home plans provide families with practical tools and strategies to foster literacy skills at home.
  5. Teacher Professional Development and Literacy Coaches: Building teacher capacity is critical to effective early literacy instruction. Across the country, districts are increasingly investing in literacy coaches who work alongside teachers to provide instructional support and professional development. Research shows that this hands-on coaching model significantly improves reading scores. States like Florida, which implemented the Just Read, Florida! The initiative has made literacy coaching a cornerstone of raising reading proficiency. Michigan’s Early Literacy Coaches Grant funds districts to hire and train specialists who support early reading instruction.
  6. Utilize Technology to Support Literacy: Digital tools are becoming essential to the literacy equation. Programs like Lexia and Raz-Kids offer personalized learning experiences that adapt to the needs of individual students. These tools can help students develop reading skills through interactive, engaging content. Blended learning approaches — combining technology with traditional literacy instruction — have been adopted nationwide and have shown promise in helping students develop foundational literacy skills.

Michigan’s Read by Grade 3 Law

Michigan’s Read by Grade 3 law, passed in 2016, aims to ensure that all students are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. Initially, the law included a controversial retention policy that required students who were not proficient readers by the end of third grade to repeat the grade. However, in 2023, Michigan’s legislature repealed the mandatory retention component of the law, signaling a shift in focus from punitive measures to more supportive instructional strategies.

While retention remains an option under certain circumstances, the repeal has shifted the conversation toward providing more resources for early intervention, teacher support, and family engagement. The goal is to help all students reach literacy proficiency without the stigma or setbacks associated with retention. Programs like Michigan’s MTSS framework and increased funding for literacy coaches are critical components of this revised approach.

Conclusion

Improving early literacy is a complex, multifaceted challenge, but it can be addressed through early childhood education, systematic instruction, early intervention, family engagement, and teacher development. Schools and districts can adopt strategies that work for their specific contexts by looking at successful models in Michigan and nationwide.

The key is a commitment to early literacy that involves all stakeholders—teachers, parents, administrators, and policymakers—to ensure that every child has the opportunity to become a proficient reader. With thoughtful planning and investment in proven strategies, we can build a foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Thank you for reading! If you want more insights on education leadership and fiscal planning, please check out my other articles on LinkedIn, Medium (https://medium.com/@scbigelow), Substack (https://stephenbigelow.substack.com), Blogger (https://stephencbigelow.blogspot.com), X (https://x.com/stephencbigelow), or https://visionary-ed-leadership.com, https://www.bigelowleadership.org, https://stephen-bigelow.com.


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