Multiple districts — Every day in Kenowa Hills Public Schools elementary classrooms, students are sitting on carpets reading books, learning phonics and celebrating reading at special nights and events.
High school students buddy-up with preschoolers at the Early Childhood Center to read through piles of picture books; older elementary students often read with younger grade levels, and volunteers from Grand Valley State University visit to read with students at all three elementaries.
If a student struggles or falls behind with reading, Kenowa Hills paraprofessionals and intervention specialists step in to provide extra attention and instructional time.
These efforts all align with a new regional initiative started by TalentFirst, an alliance of West Michigan CEOs, to expand their efforts to solve a decade-long literacy crisis.
TalentFirst and more than 100 West Michigan CEOs, four intermediate school districts and leaders from Aquinas College and Calvin, Cornerstone, Davenport, Ferris State, Grand Valley State and Western Michigan universities are collaborating to increase West Michigan’s third-grade English Language Arts proficiency by 5% annually over the next three years.
‘The scope of this first-of-its kind partnership demonstrates the urgency and extent of the problem we need to solve together.’
— Kevin Stotts, TalentFirst president
“It’s amazing to have a seat at the table with people who have a common interest in student literacy, who value the work already being done and the people doing the work,” Kenowa Hills Superintendent Jerry Hopkins said. “We can all agree students being able to read is the foundation for everything else we do in school.”
The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress showed Michigan fourth- and eighth-grade students’ average scores lower in reading than the last time the test was administered, in 2022. In reading, 24% of Michigan fourth-graders were deemed proficient, down from 28% in 2022 and well below the 30% nationally in 2024.
“The scope of this first-of-its kind partnership demonstrates the urgency and extent of the problem we need to solve together,” said Kevin Stotts, TalentFirst president. “By leveraging our regional relationships in business, K-12 and higher education, we intend to lead the state in early literacy improvement.”
Stotts said in a previous interview with SNN that early literacy was the key driver in building a stronger West Michigan workforce.
“By relying on evidence-based teaching methods, they are preparing students for lifelong success … because a strong West Michigan starts with children knowing how to read,” he said. “Children must master literacy in early elementary grades if they are to graduate high school ready for college and career.”
Increase Literacy: 1, 2, 3
Hopkins said TalentFirst leaders asked for West Michigan ISDs and colleges to identify individuals in the trenches doing the work to bring people to the table and build three primary objectives.
“The first thing is to pull local leaders in education into the conversation and ask what they can collectively do to make sure pre-teachers and teachers are the best possible prepared to teach students to be readers,” he said.
Hopkins serves alongside Kent ISD Superintendent Ron Gorman, Muskegon Area ISD Superintendent Randy Lindquist, Ottawa Area ISD Superintendent Kyle Mayer and West Shore Educational Service District Superintendent Jason Jeffrey.
The next step, Hopkins said, is to collect data on what is working well for schools in Michigan and across the country and how those results can be replicated.
TalentFirst’s data team has been looking at demographics that can impact student achievement, like attendance and family access to child care, to find schools locally and nationally that are out-performing other with similar demographics.
Gorman said many districts in Kent County are working toward improving literacy rates by incorporating research-based literacy initiatives, such as Lexia LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) into their classrooms.
LETRS is a professional learning course that pre-K and elementary teachers across the country — including in Kent County — are being trained in that incorporates the science of reading philosophy.
Based on scientific research in early literacy instruction, it focuses on awareness of sounds in spoken language, phonics and word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension of both oral language and text.
“As we look across the country at states that have made significant progress in reading proficiency, they have taken a similar approach,” Gorman said. “I believe we are on the right track to improve literacy outcomes for all children.”
Hopkins said all of his K-5 teachers and administrators have embraced the science of reading and completed LETRS training.
“(LETRS training) takes a significant amount of time, a huge investment monetarily and it’s time that they, and our administrators as well, are spending outside of the school day,” he said.
Finally, TalentFirst is recognizing and rewarding schools that show growth in literacy and M-STEP reading scores. This March, six West Michigan elementary schools, including Central Elementary from Grandville Public Schools and Glenwood Elementary from Kentwood Public Schools, were celebrated by TalentFirst leaders with the Literacy Leaders Award for their exemplary practices and accomplishments in early literacy.
Creating Growth through Community Engagement
Superintendent Gorman said increasing student achievement can only be attained through strong community engagement and support.
“At Kent ISD, we work with community organizations that share our goals for improving student achievement and outcomes,” he said. “We welcome all partners, like TalentFirst, in the effort to help students become more comfortable, confident, and competent in the classroom.”
At the collegiate level, Laura Dinehart, dean of Western Michigan University’s College of Education and Human Development, said there is an obligation for leaders in education to prepare the next generation of teachers to meet the needs of Michigan’s students.
“It’s an honor to have partners in this work, to ensure the training of teachers is ongoing and applies evidence-based practices that include the science of reading for the benefit of every child,” Dinehart said.
Hopkins said the work ahead will help advocate for the needs of school districts, as everyone involved has a common interest in tackling some of the most challenging problems facing education and businesses.
“There is a lot of synergy in the room when you get so many people from different backgrounds around the table,” he said. “There is good work to come from this.”
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