Uplifting News: US literacy rates plummeted during the pandemic. Then these teachers stepped in | A Sign of Progress

Uplifting News: US literacy rates plummeted during the pandemic. Then these teachers stepped in | A Sign of Progress

Why this story matters: In a world often dominated by negative headlines, stories like this remind us that meaningful progress is happening every day. Quick summary: This story highlights recent developments related to literacy, showing how constructive action can lead to meaningful results. There’s no question that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the education of millions of children. According to the BBC, U.S. literacy rates dropped significantly in 2020, a trend that educators have been working hard to reverse. Despite efforts to continue classes through remote learning, school closures disproportionately affected the country’s most vulnerable students, including students in low-income families and non-English-speaking households. In Colorado, the issue is especially stark. A 2025 report found that over half of children in grades three through eight are reading below proficient levels. Alfred Tatum, Ph.D., is an executive director at Colorado’s Literacy Research Center and Clinic, whi…