K-2 Early Literacy Improvements Offer Hope, but Persistent Challenges Remain

Middle-of-year data from Amplify shows that schools across the country have made some progress increasing the number of K-2 students on track for learning to read, but broader trends remain a concern

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amplify, a publisher of next-generation curriculum and assessment programs, today released a research brief on the latest K-2 middle-of-school-year literacy data. Findings reveal that while this year's kindergarten cohort has returned to pre-pandemic literacy readiness levels, overall progress remains slow. Only 56 percent of students are on track for learning to read, and 29 percent of students are far behind.

"The return of our youngest students to pre-pandemic reading levels is encouraging—but that said, broad literacy trends in the United States are still concerning," said Susan Lambert, chief academic officer, elementary humanities, at Amplify. "This is a moment to celebrate, but also a call to action: To prepare students for life-long success, we need all students exceeding pre-pandemic early reading levels. By regularly monitoring student progress via tools like middle-of-year data, educators can respond earlier when their students need support."

The research brief outlines how middle-of-year data is uniquely positioned to help schools plan for instructional changes and implement those changes before the following school year.

Progress monitoring—identifying, supporting, and tracking outcomes—is one strategy schools can engage in when working with students who are the most at-risk for not learning to read. Using that data, they can provide differentiated support, developing foundational reading skills based on each student's progress and proficiency.

Amplify encourages districts and schools to analyze middle-of-year data by school, grade, and classroom and create plans that:

• Ensure all students receive quality instruction grounded in the Science of Reading
• Identify students that need additional support and develop a plan for addressing their needs
• Allocate resources for additional support and implement those plans
• Regularly monitor progress for students and make adjustments as needed

About Amplify
A pioneer in K–12 education since 2000, Amplify is leading the way in next-generation curriculum and assessment. Our core and supplemental programs in ELA, math and science engage all students in rigorous learning and inspire them to think deeply, creatively and for themselves. Our formative assessment products help teachers identify the targeted instruction students need to build a strong foundation in early reading and math. All of our programs and services provide educators with powerful tools that help them understand and respond to the needs of every student. Today, Amplify serves more than 15 million students in all 50 states and on six continents. For more information, visit Amplify.com.

Media Contact: Kristine Frech; [email protected]

SOURCE Amplify