Only 47% of Kentucky third graders perform proficient or higher on state reading assessments.

That's according to recent testing data from the state.

But state legislators and policymakers hope to improve those numbers.

The Kentucky Department of Education has announced its next steps for literacy improvement.

Our Clayton Dalton has more in tonight's Education Matters report.

In the 2022 legislative session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill nine.

Dubbed the Race to Succeed Act.

It makes instructional and programing changes in elementary schools aimed at increasing literacy rates.

But that's not all.

In that same year, lawmakers decided to cut ties with the University of Kentucky's Collaborative Center for Literacy Development.

The center was charged with spearheading statewide literacy initiatives and research.

But investigative reporting by the Louisville Courier-Journal and testimony in the state capitol revealed the center was falling short on its goals and its statutory duties and that it was pushing back against evidence based literacy instruction.

The Kentucky Department of Education announced its new partner in addressing literacy problems.

Senate Bill 156 from 2023, sponsored by Senator West, called on KDE to use a competitive process to name a new center operated by July 1st.

And so we're a little early.

I'm so proud of that.

Katie looks forward to partnering with the University of Louisville as they establish the statewide rating research center under the direction of Dr. Amy Lingo, who is here with us today.

The creation of the Kentucky Reading Research Center signifies the university's proactive status in addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with literacy education through interdisciplinary collaboration, cutting edge research and community engagement.

We will strive to advance our understanding of reading, acquisition comprehension and interventions strategies as we enter this important partnership together.

Let's elevate the transformative power of reading and the profound impact it can have on individuals and the communities alike.

State Senator Stephen West, the sponsor of the Read to Succeed Act, said he's excited for what the reading Research Center will be able to do.

You know, we just put words on paper in Frankfort and we give give people the tools and the ideas.

But I'm happy to say that you have all stepped forward.

They've stepped into the gap and they will be handling the Reading Recovery Center in Kentucky and truly making it hopefully all it needs to be a clearinghouse of information where everything all the best science, all the best initiatives can be found in one place by our teachers, CADY students, and also from what I hear, bringing forth the research along with that at the University where we can actually start studying our own Kentucky students and our own Kentucky systems.

How can we best implement early literacy in Kentucky?

So I'm so happy to be a part of that process and so happy that you have stepped step to the forefront.

Amy Lingo, the interim dean of U of L's College of Education and Human Development, will direct the New Reading Research Center.

And she says literacy improvement is about much more than just academic achievement.

Research consistently demonstrates that a strong foundation in reading is not only fundamental to academic achievement, but also lays the groundwork for success in the workforce and fulfillment in life.

That's why the creation of the Kentucky Reading Research Center is critical to the future of the Commonwealth.

Lingo says the center will rely on evidence based practices as it supports literacy education here in Kentucky.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Clayton Dalton.

Right.