10/31/24
Four Schools Selected for $1 Emerson Early Literacy Challenge
The Takeaway
Two traditional district schools and two charter schools have been selected to participate in the Emerson Early Literacy Challenge, an initiative launched by The Opportunity Trust in partnership with Emerson to close the third-grade reading proficiency gap. The schools are Atlas Public School, Barbara Jordan Elementary in the School District of University City, Premier Charter School, and Commons Lane Primary School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Backed by a $1 million investment from Emerson, this two-year effort will equip these schools with the resources, guidance, and funding they need to ensure more students reach critical literacy milestones.
This challenge comes at a pivotal time for St. Louis, where literacy disparities continue to impact students’ academic and life outcomes. This effort is part of a broader movement in St. Louis to accelerate literacy progress, building on initiatives like the NAACP’s Right to Read campaign, a comprehensive effort to mobilize communities, educators, and policymakers around improving literacy outcomes, and Missouri’s Senate Bill 681, which mandates evidence-based literacy instruction across schools in the state. As part of these collective efforts, the Emerson Early Literacy Challenge schools are setting an example of how proven literacy practices can be scaled, reflecting the goals of systemic literacy progress across St. Louis.
At Emerson, we recognize that the foundation of a community’s future workforce and the stability of our community begins with early childhood education. Our investment in the Early Literacy Challenge is part of our commitment to ensuring every child has the skills they need to succeed.
Akberet Boykin Farr, Emerson Vice President of Diversity and Social Responsibility
These selected schools, representing both traditional districts and charter public schools, will collaborate with national literacy experts to develop tailored literacy plans aimed at improving outcomes for students in grades K-3. School leaders will receive one-on-one coaching and attend learning events through January 2025, after which they will begin drafting literacy plans to be implemented in the 2025-2026 school year. This initiative builds on ongoing systemic literacy efforts, including the Missouri Lead, Read, Exceed program, which advocates for the implementation of science-based reading strategies across all schools in Missouri. Through this process, these schools will serve as proof points for what’s possible when evidence-based strategies and dedicated support are in place. The Emerson Early Literacy Challenge will showcase how focused, intentional work can transform the educational landscape and create lasting change.
“This is about building a model that shows what can be achieved when schools are given the tools, training, and collaboration needed to close the literacy gap,” said Eric Scroggins, Founder & CEO of The Opportunity Trust. “We’re excited to see these schools lead the way in ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
It’s our new civil rights movement. Everyone needs to be talking about it, and everybody needs to be working on it. Whether you are in the education sector or not, literacy impacts all of us.
Krystal Barnett, Emerson ELC Steering Committee member and Founder and CEO of Bridge 2 Hope
As Atlas Public School, Barbara Jordan Elementary, Premier Charter School, and Commons Lane Primary School begin their journey, they are not just working to improve literacy for their own students but are setting the stage for broader, systemic change.
“With targeted support, collaboration, and a commitment to early literacy, all students can achieve significant gains. We are committed to doing this work in a way that honors our teachers and the teaching profession, ensuring that our efforts are rooted in research-based best practices while making our teachers’ jobs more sustainable,” said Colby Heckendorn, Executive Director of Atlas Public Schools. “We aim to show that effective literacy interventions can lead to substantial improvements even in communities facing challenges.”
“Literacy is the gateway for young people and adults to achieve their dreams. We believe reading is a fundamental right, and that it gives people dignity,” said David Murray, Chief Academic Officer for the Ferguson- Florissant School District. “We want our students to have unlimited opportunities in high school, college, and beyond. We know that in order to do that, we must have kids reading on grade level before the third grade.”
The Opportunity Trust and Emerson invite you to follow the progress of Atlas Public School, Barbara Jordan Elementary, Premier Charter School, and Commons Lane Primary School as they embark on this transformative journey. Stay updated on their impact and the progress of the Emerson Early Literacy Challenge on our website and follow us on LinkedIn, where we’ll be sharing stories and insights from this important work.
