According to recent state assessments, only 25% of Michigan’s fourth-grade students have achieved reading proficiency. Despite the 2018 Read by Grade 3 law, which aimed to ensure students achieve basic literacy by third grade, challenges persist due to a variety of reasons. These challenges were further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with reading scores declining in Michigan and most other states.
Adrea Truckenmiller, an associate professor at Michigan State University’s College of Education, has been appointed to the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) newly formed Committee for Literacy Achievement (CLA). This panel of educators, researchers and literacy experts was created to address the state’s urgent literacy challenges and to ensure that effective, research-based practices are implemented in schools statewide.
Planning and action
Over the next few months, the CLA will critically evaluate literacy series and materials, literacy professional development and literacy tools or services. The committee will also create and maintain a rankings list for all literacy items the committee has evaluated. Once the lists are established, districts will apply for funding based on the ranked list of literacy items.
Truckenmiller explained the urgency of the committee’s work, emphasizing that foundational literacy must be addressed early. “We typically don’t identify students with dyslexia until third, fourth or fifth grade,” she said. “By then, it’s challenging to overcome the gap.”
A 2024 study co-authored by Truckenmiller highlights the effectiveness of early screening and targeted instruction in improving elementary students’ reading outcomes, which correlates with better high school graduation rates and long-term life opportunities?.
“Michigan is poised to make great improvements in how our children learn to read,” said State Superintendent Michael F. Rice. “New early literacy/dyslexia laws and increased Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training on the science of reading for our educators will benefit young learners. The expertise of Dr. Truckenmiller and other members of our Committee for Literacy Achievement will be invaluable in providing the best literacy materials for students and teachers.”
Through critical evaluation of literacy items from vendors, the CLA will apply evidence-based strategies to support statewide collaboration, aiming to close literacy gaps and improve outcomes for all Michigan students.
Addressing challenges
Outdated curricula and insufficient training for teachers attribute to the problem according to Truckenmiller. “Popular reading assessments and curricula in Michigan don’t adequately address the decoding part of reading,” she said. “This leaves many students without the support they need during critical early learning years.”
Other states have begun helping their school districts sift through the marketing of curriculum vendors to identify the curricula, interventions and professional development that have a measurable impact on students’ learning.
Truckenmiller remains optimistic about the committee’s ability to create similar lists in Michigan. “Michigan educators are hungry for the best resources,” she said. “This is an incredible opportunity to help ensure that Michigan educators have the tools they need to support every child’s ability to read.”
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