At a Tuesday night school board meeting, San Francisco Unified School District leaders unveiled an ambitious literacy target: by the 2028 school year, 70 percent of the district’s third‑grade students should meet California’s state reading standards. The goal marks a 21‑percentage‑point jump from the 49 percent who passed last year, a modest increase that district officials say is the first year‑over‑year gain since the pandemic.
Why third grade matters
Superintendent Maria Su stressed that third‑grade reading proficiency is a critical predictor of high‑school graduation and future career success. “When students read proficiently by third grade, they are far more likely to stay on track academically,” she said.
Data‑driven approach
The district plans to sharpen its data collection through “learning walks,” in‑person classroom observations by district staff and school leaders. Those observations will inform professional‑development opportunities and curriculum adjustments tailored to each school’s needs.
Support for teachers and schools
Board candidate and SF Ed Fund volunteer Lawrence Lee, who works in a kindergarten classroom at Drew Elementary in Bayview, warned that learning walks alone will not close the gap. “We need extra help for teachers to get this to happen,” he said, urging the district to expand tutoring, coaching, and instructional resources.
Addressing equity gaps
SFUSD officials acknowledged that certain student groups lag behind their peers. Pacific Islander, Black and Hispanic students, as well as English learners, homeless students, and those receiving special education services, posted the lowest proficiency rates. Parent activist Blanca Catalan, a member of the nonprofit Coleman Advocates, called for stronger systems to identify struggling learners early and provide timely interventions.
Calls for systemic change
Board member Alida Fisher pressed Superintendent Su to confront systemic racism that she says has contributed to the achievement gap. Fisher urged the district to eliminate combined kindergarten‑first‑grade classrooms, which are more common in schools serving higher numbers of disadvantaged students, and to staff those schools with additional teachers.
Funding and resources
Two board members asked whether the district would reinvest in its Multi‑Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), a framework that offers targeted social‑emotional and academic assistance. MTSS funding has been reduced in recent years due to budget constraints, and board members want to see those resources restored to help close the literacy gap.
Looking ahead
In addition to third‑grade reading, SFUSD set broader academic goals for 2028, including higher eighth‑grade math scores and improved college‑and‑career readiness for high‑school students. The board’s discussion underscored a community‑wide commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, receives a solid foundation in reading.
While the 70‑percent target represents a steep climb, district leaders expressed confidence that a combination of data‑informed instruction, teacher development, and focused equity measures will move San Francisco’s students toward that benchmark.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
