PRESS RELEASE: Maryland READS Report Finds That While State Has Made Some Progress, We Are Still in a Reading Crisis That Demands Urgent Action From All Marylanders
Download the PDF press release HERE
BALTIMORE, MD — Today, Maryland READS released “The State of Reading in Maryland 2025: It’s Time for a Comeback after a Decade of Decline” report which reveals that Maryland’s reading proficiency is nowhere near its potential despite the fact that since 2013, education spending in Maryland has grown 37% to $18,900 per pupil. The report shows that while Maryland increased its state ranking for 4th-grade readers, the progress was just an incremental step forward. At this pace, with consistent annual progress of just 1 percentage point, it would take 62 years for Maryland to reach the 95% proficiency rate that research tells us is achievable. Currently, 67% of Maryland’s 4th-grade students are still not proficient readers (in 2022, it was 69%). 67% of 8th-grade students are also not proficient (same as 2022).
“The primary mission of schools is to educate children. Reading (and math) proficiency is one key indicator of whether or not schools are successful in achieving their mission. Maryland faces significant challenges right now,” said Trish Brennan-Gac, Executive Director of Maryland READS. “Our state is dealing with a budget crisis, including unexpected federal education cuts. Equally concerning, our report shows far too many students are not able to read proficiently – we are still facing a reading crisis. However, there’s reason for hope: state and local leaders have prioritized reading and laid the foundation for improvement. We cannot allow these difficult times to derail our progress. We challenge all Marylanders to unite behind solutions proven to build strong readers—teacher training, coaching, thriving reading ecosystems outside of the classroom, and less screen time. This report reminds us that despite the current obstacles, we must keep reading at the forefront of our priorities because the future of our children depends on it.”
In the report, Maryland READS highlights the series of actions state leaders have taken over the last year to create a system of support for building strong readers and challenges all Marylanders to step up and do their part to end the reading crisis by uniting behind solutions including:
Improving Instruction: Accelerating teacher training in the Science of Reading, funding a statewide literacy coaching program, reforming teacher preparation programs, developing adolescent literacy policies and maximizing impact of community schools that serve students in most need of support.
Advancing Thriving Reading Ecosystems: Establishing READ Strong Networks in every county by 2028, building a culture of reading in the state and identifying support outside of the classroom, engaging business leaders who need a literate workforce in the future to be competitive, and addressing chronic absenteeism.
Addressing Digital Barriers: Shifting our mindset when it comes to technology’s impact on reading proficiency. While limiting children’s use of electronic devices in the classroom solves some of our problems, how and when we use educational technology to teach reading must be examined, and families must be educated on the impact of technology on young brains.
Brennan-Gac added, “Over the last year, state leaders have led by taking action, but we need a comprehensive, community-driven effort. Now is the time for all of us to take responsibility, to step forward, and to fully commit to the work ahead. Our children’s futures depend on the efforts we make today.”
About Maryland READS
Maryland READS is a non-profit organization that was founded to end the literacy crisis in Maryland. Based on the most current rigorous research and evidence of impact, Maryland READS focuses on three proven paths to closing the literacy gap: improving reading instruction in the classroom through the Science of Reading; creating thriving community-based reading ecosystems outside the classroom; and addressing barriers that prevent students from becoming proficient readers like addictive technology. Through collaboration and strategic partnerships, Maryland READS is building a powerful statewide network to provide community leaders with a place to engage, share best practices, advocate and shape their action plans to ensure all children have the literacy skills necessary for success in school and beyond. Learn more about our growing reading network at https://marylandreads.org/
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