SALT LAKE CITY — Early literacy provides a critical foundation for every child’s academic success. However, a new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, commissioned by the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation, reveals that nearly half of Utah’s K-3 students are not meeting grade-level reading expectations. In 2025, only 50.3% of third graders achieved grade-level proficiency in reading, with similar rates in earlier grades.

“Early childhood literacy is not just an academic benchmark; it is the cornerstone of a child’s future success,” said Andrea Thomas Brandley, senior education analyst at the Gardner Institute and lead author of the report. “The ability to read proficiently by third grade profoundly impacts a student’s entire educational journey, their economic opportunities, and their capacity to engage fully in civic life.”

Key findings from the report include the following:

Low Grade-Level Proficiency – In 2025, 50.3% of third graders achieved grade-level proficiency in reading, with similar rates in earlier grades.

Significant Disparities – Reading proficiency varies widely, with English-language learners, students with disabilities, Hispanic/Latino students, and economically disadvantaged students showing significantly lower rates.

Long-Term Impact of Literacy – Strong early literacy skills are foundational for future academic achievement, higher graduation rates, better employment prospects, and overall health and civic engagement.

Early Experiences Matter – Early experiences such as language exposure, shared reading, and high-quality early learning environments are critical for a child’s readiness to read. Research indicates that nearly all children can learn to read with systematic, evidence-based instruction and targeted support.

Utah’s Policy Framework – Utah’s Early Literacy Outcomes Improvement Act (SB 127, 2022) aims to address these challenges by setting a statewide goal of 70% third-grade reading proficiency by 2027 and strengthening supports.

Implementation Drives Results – Research from states that have improved early literacy shows that progress depends not just on policy design, but on consistent, high-quality implementation over time, including aligned curriculum, teacher support, early identification, and targeted interventions.

The full report is now available online.

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The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute serves Utah by preparing economic, demographic, and public policy research that helps the state prosper. We are Utah’s demographic experts, leaders on the Utah economy, and specialists on public policy and survey research. We are an honest broker of INFORMED RESEARCH, which guides INFORMED DISCUSSIONS, and leads to INFORMED DECISIONS™. For more information, please visit gardner.utah.edu or call 801-587-3717.

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