LA Public School Reading Crisis

Over half of third graders in Los Angeles public schools are not reading at the expected level, according to a recent presentation to the school board that detailed future strategies.

This situation is concerning since third grade often marks a critical point in a child’s academic journey, with reading skills being crucial for long-term success. Just 43.6% of third-graders in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) can read at grade level, compared to a slightly higher 44.2% statewide.

Despite California leading the country in educational spending—around $107 billion last year—LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho seems to overlook the district’s shortcomings. At a board meeting, he acknowledged that not all goals are met, but the implication of failure appears to linger unaddressed.

Governor Gavin Newsom recently expressed support for Carvalho during his State of the Union address, commending school personnel and downplaying concerns. He mentioned that Carvalho is doing a commendable job, while LAUSD strives to align all third-graders with grade-level expectations by the end of the 2021-2022 academic year. However, new data indicates that only about half are meeting this target as the four-year plan nears completion.

In math, the situation is even more troubling, with only 36.8% of LAUSD students meeting or exceeding standards, compared to a statewide rate of 37.3%.

Yvonne Ng, a parent from Culver City, criticized Carvalho for not addressing the widespread underperformance within the school system. She emphasized the importance of identifying barriers to achieving set goals, describing the district’s response as irresponsible and reckless.

LAUSD has also established a target for 70% of high school graduates to achieve a C average or higher in selected college-preparation courses by the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, the figure stands at 58.4%, indicating a significant gap that remains to be filled.