For more than a decade, states have invested heavily in early literacy policies to ensure that every student reads proficiently by the end of third grade. These efforts, backed by the science of reading, have changed the trajectory for countless young learners. But despite critical improvements in early literacy policy, students can still fall through the cracks. As they move into upper grades, texts get tougher, expectations rise and skill gaps widen. While reading struggles that began early often grow more serious over time, most state policies stop short of supporting adolescent readers. To truly prepare students for lifelong success, literacy policy and support must continue beyond the early grades.
The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading results were a wake-up call. Eighth grade students scored an average of 257 on the national reading assessment—down from 259 in 2022 and 262 in 2019. No state improved, eight declined, and the remaining states flatlined. Even more concerning, eighth grade reading scores haven’t shown real progress in more than 30 years. These numbers make one thing clear: a strong start in early literacy isn’t enough. Students need continued, high-quality reading instruction through middle and high school to build the critical reading skills needed to analyze complex texts and engage with content across every subject.
In grades 4-8, many students face reading roadblocks that go far beyond sounding out words. They may lack basic skills that should have been mastered in earlier grades—like decoding and fluency—or struggle with comprehension because they don’t have the background knowledge or vocabulary needed to make sense of what they’re reading. When adolescent reading challenges go unaddressed, the effects ripple far beyond the classroom—limiting opportunities, economic mobility and participation in civic life. The stakes could not be higher as more than half of U.S. adults read below a sixth grade level.
What You’ll Learn in This Post
For states, the path to lifelong reading success for their students begins with strong early literacy policy and continues with the adoption of an adolescent literacy policy that builds upon that foundation.
That’s where ExcelinEd comes in. Our new Advancing Adolescent Literacy Model Policy offers states practical guidance to enhance instruction, expand educator support and sustain early literacy progress. The policy centers on prevention—making sure all students get strong, daily instruction that helps them grow as readers. It reinforces how decoding and language development work hand in hand, reminding us that students must keep learning to read, through advanced phonics instruction, and reading to learn as texts and expectations become more complex. This policy builds on the progress states have made in early literacy and utilizes the research-based principles that work for adolescent readers to ensure that students do not lose momentum gained in the early years.
ExcelinEd’s Advancing Adolescent Literacy Model Policy gives states a clear roadmap for helping every student continue to grow as a reader and writer beyond the early grades. It’s designed to strengthen what’s already working while filling in the gaps that often emerge in later years.
The policy focuses on giving teachers the support they need through targeted professional learning, coaching and stronger preparation programs so they can meet the needs of adolescent readers. It calls for smarter assessment systems that identify reading challenges early and track growth in key skills like vocabulary, comprehension and advanced word study. It also emphasizes access to content rich, high-quality, evidence-based instruction for every student, with time built into the school day for both core instruction and targeted intervention. The model encourages the use of high-quality instructional materials that help all learners strengthen their skills and supports for parents as active partners in their child’s literacy journey. Finally, it underscores the importance of accountability and transparency so progress can be measured and sustained over time.
Together, these elements create a practical, sustained approach to literacy that extends beyond early grades into middle grades—equipping teachers, supporting families and ensuring all students continue to grow as readers and writers.
While investing in adolescent literacy isn’t a new idea, state-level policies have yet to be widely adopted. Yet, it’s the critical next step in the literacy continuum. States that have laid a strong early literacy foundation are ready to build on that important groundwork, helping students continue to grow as confident, capable readers and writers in the later grades.
As we look ahead and begin to identify state models, it is important to be clear that to be considered a model, states should have both a comprehensive policy and active implementation in place so progress and outcomes can actually be measured. While no state has fully achieved that yet, several are making meaningful strides to strengthen adolescent literacy and move this work forward:
These states are demonstrating what’s possible when leaders look beyond the early grades with vision and commitment. Every state has the opportunity—and the responsibility—to build systems that sustain reading growth beyond the early years.
ExcelinEd is committed to helping states advance adolescent literacy through strong policy and effective implementation. Together, we can ensure that reading success extends well beyond third grade and builds the foundation for lifelong opportunity. When states invest in adolescent readers, they invest in sustained academic success and expanded opportunities for every student. They invest in stronger schools, a more skilled workforce and a more literate society for generations to come.
For additional information, please refer to the resources below:
