Tennessee – Throughout March, the Tennessee Department of Education is celebrating Tennessee Literacy Month, a time to highlight the state’s ongoing efforts to improve literacy skills. Governor Bill Lee proclaimed March as Literacy Month, underscoring the state’s dedication to fostering early literacy and empowering students to achieve their full potential.
Governor Lee emphasized, “Tennessee students are leading the nation in reading proficiency gains thanks to our state’s strong literacy strategy. Every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, and in the month of March, we’re celebrating our continued commitment to literacy.”
The month kicked off with Read Across America Day on March 2, and continues with Read Across America Week from March 2-6. Throughout the month, the Tennessee Department of Education, alongside Riley the Reading Raccoon, will visit schools statewide to celebrate the progress made in literacy. Tennesseans are encouraged to engage in the celebration on social media using the hashtags #TNReadingForALL and #ReadLikeRiley. Families can also practice reading at home through resources like Interactive Decodables.
Tennessee’s literacy efforts, bolstered by the Tennessee Literacy Success Act of 2021, have led to historic strides in student achievement. The 2023-24 ELA TCAP results showed that 39% of students are meeting grade-level expectations, with gains in nearly all tested grades. Additionally, Tennessee students surpassed pre-pandemic proficiency levels. The 2024 Nation’s Report Card results confirmed Tennessee’s progress, with 32% of students tested achieving proficiency in 4th and 8th grade reading, surpassing the national average.