CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) is celebrating the achievements of nine counties recognized for significant improvements in student literacy.
A new national report, Dynamic Districts, issued by Upswing Labs, highlights districts that have achieved at least a 3% increase in third-grade literacy over the past three years.
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West Virginia, along with Cabell, Kanawha, Logan, Marion, Mercer, Monongalia, Ohio, Putnam, and Raleigh counties, was included in this distinction.
These counties are among 260 school districts nationwide that have demonstrated steady progress in literacy since the COVID-19 pandemic. West Virginia is one of only four states—alongside Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina—to see sustained improvements.
The Mountain State’s 5% growth in literacy scores is the second highest in the nation.
“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,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt.
“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.”
The state’s progress follows the launch of several literacy initiatives. In 2022, the West Virginia Board of Education introduced Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia, a statewide program focused on building foundational literacy skills.
The initiative included professional development in the Science of Reading—an approach based on how the brain learns to read.
Additionally, the West Virginia Legislature passed the Third Grade Success Act, mandating that all schools use the Science of Reading. The law also provides critical classroom resources to enhance literacy instruction.
Thanks to collaboration between educators, families, and community partners, West Virginia is now among the few states reporting gains in early literacy.
“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 development a love of reading,” said Superintendent Blatt.
“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 the skills every day.”
