In the wake of a national literacy crisis, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement and statewide Council on Literacy have appointed longtime educator Sarah Richards as the Georgia Literacy Coach.
“The Council has added a leader to the team that is knowledgeable, well-versed in the science of reading and passionate about helping underperforming students achieve their fullest potential,” Council Chair Scott Johnson said.
Passed in 2023, Senate Bill 211 requires a statewide literacy coach to serve the Georgia Council on Literacy and coordinate with the state’s education agencies to improve literacy. The 30-person council was created to monitor the implementation of House Bill 538 requirements, which mandates a science of reading-based educational approach for kindergarten through third-grade students.
Richards, who started the role July 1 has spent 21 years working with students as a teacher, administrator, Literacy Master Teacher Leader at Atlanta Public Schools and a statewide coach in the Governor’s School Leadership Academy.
“My whole entire career has been an education, and I have always felt that I have a passion for literacy and that it is just my love,” Richards said. “I love reading, writing. And to me, seeing a child learn to read or reading aloud those things are magical.”
As the Georgia Literacy Coach, Richards will head up the council’s efforts to increase literacy in different communities across the state. The Georgia Department of Education found that 42 percent of third-graders were rated proficient readers or above in their 2019 Milestones test.
Richards understands that literacy is an issue right now. But she sees a solution in the newly-established requirements for Georgia students: universal screenings for students in kindergarten through third grade, “high quality” instructional materials, teacher training and a robust Georgia Reads campaign.
“I think that what we realize as a state is that we need our students to be readers in order to be more successful for their future as adults,” Richards said.
The council is primarily using the “Science of Reading.” The body of research looks at science-backed methods to literacy education. It focuses on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.
“Some children are not just going to learn to read by reading or being read to; they need that explicit instruction,” Richards said.
The council also aims to improve literacy rates for low income, minority, ESOL students and students with disabilities through research and recommendations. Different communities have some different needs, but Richards, who has worked in all types of schools across the state, said the science of reading should help kids from all walks of life.
“The science shows there are certain things that can help children regardless of background,” Richards said.
That’s why the council aims to give teachers resources and training on how to include the science of reading in the classroom. But Richards said literacy is a complex issue, even if it’s a solvable one.
As a result, the Council on Literacy announced the “Georgia Reads Campaign” on June 24. The campaign will raise awareness about the need to improve reading skills while incentivizing young readers to pick up books.
Georgia Reads will host READBowl, a statewide reading challenge alongside professional football player Malcolm Mitchell’s Share the Magic Foundation. Georgia students of all ages will compete for the highest average reading minutes and the winner will receive state recognition, a state Capitol visit and a championship trophy.
Georgia Reads will also host Community Awards, providing up to $25,000 to community partnerships that have made literacy progress. On February 25, Georgians from all backgrounds will meet at the Capitol for Georgia Reads Day.
In the meantime, Richards and the council will work on setting short and long-term goals for Georgia. The new leader is hopeful about the government’s support for literacy and the broader wish to help kids learn to read.
“Everyone wants to see children learn, and everyone wants to see children reading and having that brighter future,” Richards said. “I am so excited that I get to join something that we all can come together to work for.”
