Building a Foundation of Literacy
A Promise to Help Every Student Become a Reader
If students can read proficiently in 3rd grade, they’re significantly more likely to finish high school, and much less likely to face future incarceration, homelessness, or unemployment. But in both Sonoma County and California, our communities struggle with low literacy rates among children and adults. Right now, fewer than half — 41.57% — of Sonoma County’s 3rd graders are reading at grade level. And California’s adult literacy rate is 76.9%.
When Sonoma County residents struggle to read, it can limit our collective quality of life and our local economy. That is why SCOE in spring 2025 launched the Sonoma County Literacy Promise. This initiative strengthens and unifies local efforts to improve literacy rates — bringing together more than a dozen community partners engaged in efforts around literacy, early childhood education, and community development.
This spring, SCOE was proud to collaborate with Northern California Public Media and the Literacy Promise partners on the Great Literacy Adventure, a free, joyful, daylong event for families to celebrate literacy and reading.
To learn more about the Sonoma County Literacy Promise and our partners, visit scoe.org/promise.
The Sonoma County Literacy Promise
The Sonoma County Literacy Promise is rooted in a shared commitment to improve literacy outcomes for all. This promise is strengthened by partnerships with public and private organizations who are dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to the resources needed to become proficient readers. In partnership with educators, students, and the community, we pledge to support and enhance classroom instruction and provide enrichment opportunities that promote equitable outcomes for all. Together, we will foster a strong culture of literacy across Sonoma County.
The Sonoma County Literacy Fellowship
Evidence-Based Strategies Making a Difference
While learning to speak occurs automatically for most children, learning to read requires instruction and practice. Decades of research called the Science of Reading reveals that students need direct, explicit instruction that helps connect sounds with letters, or phonics, while also teaching comprehension skills. Our foremost effort to ensure Sonoma County’s educators are equipped with the best tools and the latest research is the Sonoma County Literacy Fellowship. This program, currently in its second year, has made it possible for more than 220 teachers from across the county to receive training and ongoing coaching in early literacy instruction at no cost to their schools. As part of the literacy fellowship, these educators have devoted several days and hours after school to learn about the Science of Reading and shift their instructional practices. The fellowship includes additional support in the form of classroom visits and a community of practice where they can strategize with fellow educators. While efforts to improve literacy rates can take years to show up in test score data — today’s kindergarteners will enter 3rd grade in the 2028-29 school year — early results show promise. The 3rd grade literacy rate has increased since the start of the effort. For 2026-27, the fellowship is expanding from teachers in kindergarten through 3rd grade up through 6th grade.
This has been the most meaningful and impactful professional development of my career. The training and ongoing support are a game changer.
– 2024-25 Literacy Fellowship Participating Teacher
and 2025-26 Literacy Fellowship Coach
Literacy Impact By the Numbers
| 127 | | Teachers in the Literacy Fellowship in 2025-26 |
|
220 | |
Teachers in the Literacy Fellowship Since it Began |
|
27 | |
Teacher-Coaches in 2025-26 |
|
65 | |
Schools Who Have Had Teachers Participate |
|
24 | |
Districts Who Have Had Teachers Participate |
|
19 | |
Partners in the Literacy Promise |