A Literacy Crisis (1/2): What’s happening in Utah schools?

Reading is one of the most fundamental skills we have. It affects everything: our ability to get a job, navigate daily life, stay informed, or think critically. And yet, today in the U.S., reading is something we take for granted.  

Recent studies show that our literacy rates are on the decline: more than half of Americans can’t read above a sixth-grade level. And in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many young students have fallen behind on reading, hindering their education long-term. So, how did we get here? And more importantly, how do we turn things around?

In this new mini-series, we show you how one state is responding to the literacy crisis. We dive into the life of the Utah State Board of Education, a government body that has made big commitments to literacy. With an ambitious bill signed into law, Utah intends to get 70% of third graders reading at grade level by 2027.

In Part 1 of this series, we meet with Savannah Hunt and Susie Estrada, two education specialists who work at the USBE, to dive into what Utah is doing to help its youngest students succeed. Together, we break down what good literacy looks like and explore the role of government in education reform. Beyond the science of reading, we discuss the social factors that impact literacy: life at school, family engagement, and inequality of access. 

Whether you’re a teacher, policymaker, parent, or just passionate about equitable education, this episode is for you. 

Chapters:

1- Welcome to Utah, with Savannah and Susie (3:07)

2- What good literacy looks like (10:22)

3- Social factors impacting education (16:26)

4- SB127: a bill to improve early literacy across the state (23:28)

5- Partnering with MGT to reach ambitious goals (27:57)

Links:

• MGT Website
• MGT LinkedIn
• MGT Education solutions
• USBE Website
• Savannah Hunt LinkedIn
• Susie Estrada LinkedIn
• Utah State Legislature - SB127
• [Article] KSL News Radio - “Third graders in Utah are falling behind on their reading skills”
• [Article] MGT - “MGT Partners with the Utah State Board of Education to Improve Literacy Statewide”
• [Article] The Conversation - “Mississippi’s education miracle: A model for global literacy reform”
• [Resource] The National Literacy Institute - 2024-2025 Literacy Statistics
• [Resource] World Population Review - U.S. Literacy Rates by State 2025

Feedback:

If you have questions about the topics covered in this episode or MGT's work with the USBE, you can email Sarah Iannucci: [e-mail]


Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided as a free service to you and is for general informational purposes only. In this podcast, the views and opinions expressed by the host and the guests are solely their own current opinions and are based on their own perspectives. Such views, perspectives, and opinions do not reflect those of MGT or the USBE or the companies in which any guest is or may be affiliated. The production and presentation of this podcast by MGT is for non-commercial use and does not imply the expression of any opinion on part of MGT or any of its affiliates.

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Technology solutions, school transformation, or human capital solutions - a lot goes into social impact work. So, whether you're seeking advice to support local communities or you want to untangle key issues enabling economic empowerment, Impact in Action will help you grab the tools you need for yourself and your organization.

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