County School Districts Rank Nationally For Improving Student Literacy 

State education leaders are drawing attention to nine counties that have improved literacy assessments by more than 3% since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cabell, Kanawha, Logan, Marion, Mercer, Monongalia, Ohio, Putnam and Raleigh counties are among the 260 districts nationwide that experienced these bumps, according to the Dynamic Districts report issued by Upswing Labs. 

It was reported at the state Board of Education meeting earlier this month that West Virginia joined Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina as the four states with sustained literacy increases. 

“We are very proud of the counties earning this recognition. It is a reflection of the hard work that is going on in these areas,” Michele Blatt, state superintendent of schools, said in a press release.  “There is success beyond these areas, and we anticipate hearing more good news from other regions as well. Our educators statewide are working hard to support our children academically, developmentally and social-emotionally. I commend them for this work.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, state education leaders have sought to improve childhood literacy in the state, with the launch in 2022 of a statewide literacy program called “Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia.”

That effort was further bolstered by the passage of House Bill 3035 in 2023. Also known as the Third Grade Success Act, the law aims to address low reading and math test scores across the state with a focus on fundamentals and individualized interventions with teaching aides and paraprofessionals in grades one through three.

“It was a very heavy lift to build our comprehensive early-learning literacy initiative in a short period of time, but it was important to start with the young learners and prepare them with the tools that help them develop a love of reading,” Blatt said. “Our literacy specialists are continuing to work with older grades, and we are expanding the initiative beyond the third grade to support older students with learning gaps. Although the national recognition is good, we are thrilled with the success our educators are witnessing in their classrooms and students who are learning to read and growing their skills every day.”