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.
Why is literacy important?
- Kindergarten Readiness: Children who start kindergarten with strong language and literacy skills are 80% more likely to graduate from high school on time, but only 1 in 5 eligible children access free Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) in Alachua County.
- Secondary School Outcomes: Children who aren’t reading on grade level by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Approximately 1 in 10 students in Alachua County don’t graduate from high school.
- Lifetime Success: Recent reports show that high school graduates earn a median of $6,000 more annually than those who didn’t complete high school; for college graduates, this difference increases to $30,000!
Data Collection Phase has been completed!
The UF Lastinger Center has completed the data collection phase of the comprehensive literacy needs assessment. We are now analyzing the data and preparing the report. We appreciate everyone who participated in the needs assessment.
The report will be available here in March 2025 and presented to our sponsors (The Children’s Trust of Alachua County, Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, and School Board of Alachua County) in April 2025.
Questions?
Contact lastinger@coe.ufl.edu with questions about the Alachua County Needs Assessment.