Reflecting on W. Edwards Deming's quote, "The system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets," it's disheartening to consider the system we have in place for teaching reading to our children. The 2019 NAEP, the only nationwide assessment of fourth-grade reading performance, showed that 64% of fourth-graders scored at basic or below basic reading levels. Shockingly, this rate mirrors that of a decade ago.

Additionally, the statistics for Black and Latino eighth-grade students performing at or above the NAEP Proficient level in reading have remained stagnant for decades, with only 18% of Black and 22% of Latino students meeting the benchmark in 2019. It's evident that if white students of privilege performed at this level, there would be national outrage and swift action to transform the education system. Yet, for Black and Brown students, there seems to be little urgency for change.

It's time for leaders to step up and take action. We must examine the system we have built and sustained, which has consistently produced poor outcomes for certain groups of students, and be willing to implement necessary changes. Teaching reading is a critical skill for primary educators, yet many lack the necessary training and knowledge to provide effective instruction. This lack of expertise disproportionately affects marginalized and low-income students, whose families may not have the resources to provide additional support.

However, there is a glimmer of hope. Mississippi is the only state that has seen improved reading outcomes based on NAEP, thanks to leaders who focused on research-backed, systematic, and explicit methods for teaching reading. The state's commitment to the science of reading has led to meaningful progress.

Reading proficiency is a significant civil rights issue today. Being literate empowers individuals to learn, grow, and own their journey. We need a national movement to transform our education system so that every school is designed to teach students how to read effectively.

At Axis Education Group, we're committed to creating a comprehensive approach to transform the education system from the boardroom to the community. By implementing new systems that support each student's learning, we can create a more robust community of learners and leaders. Although it won't be easy, it is possible, and we must act now to make this change a reality.

Paul Gordon