Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Literacy Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sacramento Literacy Foundation urges San Juan Unified to back science‑of‑reading bills and training funds
Summary
Speakers from the Sacramento Literacy Foundation urged the board to support state literacy bills (SB488, SB114, AB1454), highlighted local reading data (34% of third graders reading at grade level in the district), and suggested hiring a chief literacy officer; trustees agreed staff should meet with the foundation and return with a coordinated presentation.
Representatives from the Sacramento Literacy Foundation asked San Juan Unified trustees to support three state bills and to consider district actions that would accelerate reading gains.
Rigo Tovar, program manager at the Literacy Foundation, told the board that in San Juan Unified “34 percent of third graders are reading a grade level, meaning 66 percent are not,” and urged the district to align with evidence‑based practices. He introduced three bills of interest to the foundation: SB 488 (teacher preparation and the science of reading), SB 114 (an early screener), and AB 1454 (a package that includes $200 million for teacher training starting September 2026).
April Javis, the organization’s executive director, asked the board to consider using state training funds and recommended the district invite a full literacy presentation. “They also put $200,000,000 aside for teacher training, which you guys can access. It’ll be available in September 2026,” Javis said, and suggested the district consider hiring a chief literacy officer to coordinate efforts across the system.
Trustee Boyce moved to invite the Sacramento Literacy Coalition for a more comprehensive presentation; trustees agreed staff should meet with the Literacy Foundation and district teams to determine how best to coordinate a future session.
Acting Superintendent Trent Allen said staff would convene and bring a proposal back to the board that incorporates district efforts with the foundation’s resources. The request will be scheduled for a future agenda item for staff review and coordination.
