A bold initiative to tackle Guam's literacy crisis took center stage during the 38th Guam Legislature's Regular Session on July 29, 2025. Bill 100-38 aims to enhance early childhood education and literacy, addressing alarming statistics that reveal one in six adults nationwide struggle with low literacy skills. This issue is particularly pressing in Guam, where the ripple effects of low literacy can hinder access to healthcare, employment, and even increase incarceration risks.

The bill emphasizes the critical role of parents in fostering literacy from birth, highlighting that brain development for language begins in infancy. By reading to children, parents can expose them to over a million words before they even enter kindergarten. The proposed legislation seeks to expand Guam's early childcare and education system, ensuring that all children from birth to age five receive the support they need to thrive.

Currently, only about 2,000 of the 14,289 children under five in Guam are enrolled in existing early education programs. Bill 100-38 proposes to bridge this gap by integrating health professionals into the education system, providing parents with resources and training to support their children's developmental milestones. This collaborative approach aims to empower families and enhance literacy outcomes across the island.

During the session, lawmakers expressed strong support for the bill, citing the urgent need for improved literacy skills among Guam's youth. Recent assessments revealed that a staggering 72% of third-grade students did not meet English language arts standards, underscoring the necessity for early intervention.

As discussions unfolded, concerns were raised about the effectiveness of the Guam Early Learning Council, which has not convened since March 2024. Lawmakers debated the council's role in implementing the bill, with some advocating for its integration into the new framework to leverage its institutional knowledge.

The session concluded with a unified call to action, urging all stakeholders to prioritize reading and literacy in their communities. As one senator poignantly stated, "It takes a village to raise a child," reinforcing the collective responsibility to ensure that every child in Guam has a strong foundation for lifelong success. The anticipated outcomes of Bill 100-38 could reshape the future of education on the island, fostering a generation of proficient readers and engaged citizens.