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Believe it or not, there is a clear path forward for literacy in the United States.

We wouldn’t blame you to think otherwise given the grim outlook from the media, the federal government, and this year’s alarming results from The Nation’s Report Card. (In case you missed it — more than half of 4th and 8th graders are reading below proficiency. These are real children with futures at stake.)

While the National Assessment of Educational Progress and other national measuring sticks sit on the chopping block with this presidential administration, the distressing trends emphasized by this year’s results spell disaster should we continue with current practices.

But here’s a fresh perspective: Most states have already forged the tools to turn poor literacy performance into meaningful progress.

In this polarized landscape, state policy and education leaders should take heart that education is a nonpartisan issue for much of the public. As a recent Hunt Institute survey showed, 89% of parents and voters across parties favor implementing evidence-based literacy programs in classrooms to improve student reading levels.

According to 2024 data, 40 states and the District of Columbia have adopted major policy measures requiring these practices be incorporated at every stage of literacy education. The fact that so many red and blue states have recently adopted significant — and similar — legislative literacy initiatives shows widespread support.

Passing laws is only part of the solution; effectively implementing them is now the major challenge.

That being said, education leaders must implement necessary pedagogy and maintain the necessary data to track improvement over the upcoming critical years.

The most effective NAEP response from state education leaders would be to launch an intentional period of implementation of what is enacted into law. We’re seeing this in some states, but others, like Delaware and Iowa, have room for further action.

For state policymakers, the most meaningful implementation actions include:

Signaling commitment through legislative oversight

Legislators can drive improvement by exercising their traditional oversight role — holding hearings, reviewing implementation data, and identifying barriers. Education and finance committees should assess progress, address funding needs, and push for cross-agency collaboration. Few things prompt action from an agency like an invitation to testify at an oversight hearing.

Ensuring statewide early literacy screening

States should implement comprehensive early literacy screening strategies for pre-K through 3rd grade. Most states already require some form of screening to identify potential reading strengths and weaknesses. Tailoring instruction to each child’s individual needs and strengths is the critical first step in developing a personalized learning plan.

Elevating teacher preparation

Investing in the support, oversight, and improvement of teacher preparation programs is essential — how educators teach reading directly impacts student outcomes. Most states have mandated the removal of outdated curricula in favor of evidence-based practices rooted in the science of reading. 

Through initiatives like The Hunt Institute’s Path Forward, states like Alabama are working to enhance teacher literacy training in partnership with educator preparation programs. While some institutions have made significant progress, many still need to align with best practices.

Supporting district leadership

Encourage and support school district leadership to adopt the necessary changes in policy and practice in every school and classroom. From tiny Buttonwillow in California to Birmingham Public Schools in Alabama, central office buy-in determines whether teaching practices evolve and reading performance improves.

Significant change does not come on the cheap. States and districts must be prepared to provide funding for the necessary training for reading coaches, other forms of professional development, and relevant curriculum. Spend now to build strong readers, or pay more later in remediation.

The continued dismal NAEP results show the traditional literacy instruction of the past 50 years has not worked for most students. This is why most states have enacted meaningful legislative and policy directives to move toward evidence-based approaches to teaching reading. The states showing genuine progress passed the legislation and funding, then monitored and supported the implementation over many years to achieve positive change in every school.

NAEP has made one thing crystal clear: Policy alone won’t save us. Action, implementation, and accountability will. The next chapter of literacy reform is about delivering real results where they matter most: in the classroom.