In the St. Louis region, African-American students lag in reading proficiency when compared to other ethnic groups. The same is true throughout Missouri.
The NCES report card shows that only three in ten Missouri students demonstrate reading proficiency at a fourth-grade level. Only one in 10 African American students reach the reading proficiency level.
The knowledge of these numbers led the St. Louis NAACP to announce on Wednesday the launch of its “Right to Read” campaign.
Adolphus Pruitt, chapter president, calls the effort “a comprehensive literacy initiative aimed at ensuring every child in St. Louis and St. Louis County has the opportunity to read on grade level by 3rd grade.”
He said the campaign’s goal is for students to meet or exceed the overall state average by 2030. The campaign will be led by Ian Buchanan, the chapter’s new education chair.
“Many suggest that literacy is the civil rights issue of our era,” said Buchanan.
“If Black and brown students continue to underperform in literacy, we severely limit their life options even before they hit adolescence. This is a solvable problem.”
NAACP leadership will extend invitations to community and educational leaders to join the campaign to “foster a collaborative effort to address literacy challenges in the region,” said Pruitt.
Buchanan and campaign leaders will host meetings with school leaders, elected officials, and community organizations throughout the year to introduce campaign goals and gather feedback.
A documentary featuring Kareem Weaver, NAACP Oakland vice president and education chair, will be screened on January 17, 2024, during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday week. Weaver will attend the screening and discuss the campaign with parents, educators, and community leaders.
Pruitt and Buchanon want every district and charter school in the city and county to adopt a resolution “and a concrete goal” that ensures the number of Black children reading on grade level by 3rd grade meets or exceeds the overall state average by the year 2030.
“The question is, ‘Do we have the courage and commitment to solve this literacy dilemma facing precious Black and brown students in our region and throughout the country, said Buchanan?’"
Buchanan is Nia Education Group CEO and prior to founding the firm served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and Instruction (Chief Academic Officer) in the School District of University City.
The campaign will issue annual progress reports when reading scores become available.
“[The reports] will celebrate successes and highlight areas for improvement,” said Pruitt.
“The St. Louis City NAACP is confident that under Dr. Buchanan's leadership, the "Right to Read” campaign" will make significant strides towards literacy and ensure that every child has the fundamental right to read.”