Enhancing Literacy in Alachua County
Literacy has always been a primary focus for the UF Lastinger Center for Learning. In partnership with the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, we are dedicated to improving language, reading, and writing outcomes for all ages.
Literacy, defined here as the ability to read, write, speak and listen, is essential for citizens to fully participate in an information-rich society. Only about half of Alachua County’s K-12 students, along with the rest of Florida’s counties, are reading on grade level.
To better address the county’s literacy challenges, the UF Lastinger Center and Children’s Trust of Alachua County conducted a comprehensive needs assessment that reached over 1,300 Alachua County residents through:
Family Members
Community Members
ACPS Educators and Staff
ACPS Students
Elected Officials
Community Organizations
*ACPS is Alachua County Public Schools
Our report is live!
Key Findings
Strengths in Alachua County include:
- Many families are engaging in literacy activities such as reading and discussing books with their children.
- Educators have access to evidence-based strategies to support student learning.
- Local organizations provide valuable literacy support through resources, trainings, and events.
- Local elected official understand the importance of early literacy exposure, targeted interventions, and increased resources.
Challenges in Alachua County include:
- Families reported limited access to literacy resources that can best support their children’s literacy development.
- Educators talked about the need for better curricular alignment and more access to professional learning and instructional support.
- Staff at local organizations discussed the need for more funding and increased opportunities to train their staff to build literacy skills in the community.
Questions?
Contact lastinger@coe.ufl.edu with questions about the Alachua County Needs Assessment.