Look, I want to share something important that CalMatters Housing reported recently about California's education investments, because it actually connects to our community's future in ways that matter to all of us.
Back in 2013, California ranked near the bottom nationally in reading proficiency, with only about a quarter of fourth graders reading at grade level. The state decided to overhaul how reading gets taught in schools, starting with a new curriculum framework that emphasizes phonetics and foundational skills. According to CalMatters Housing, California has rolled out new teaching materials, screening for dyslexia, and updated teacher certification programs over the past decade.
The real game changer came in 2023 when the state allocated substantial funding to help schools hire literacy advisors and implement other reading improvement strategies. These advisors, typically former teachers with specialized training, work directly with classroom teachers to improve how kids learn to read. The state committed significant resources to this effort, with even more funding included in recent budgets for these literacy coaching positions.
The improvements have been real but gradual. According to the reporting, California has climbed to roughly the middle of the national pack in reading rankings, which is significant considering how far behind we started. On state tests, the percentage of fourth graders reading at grade level has been climbing steadily. What's interesting is that this happened even as national results declined, suggesting California's strategy is working.
However, there's a real constraint holding back even better progress. According to the research CalMatters Housing covered, about 42 percent of school districts have struggled to actually hire the literacy advisors because there simply aren't enough trained professionals available. This shortage is especially acute in rural and remote areas where finding qualified educators is nearly impossible. Districts want to make these investments, but the talent just isn't there to fill the positions.
What I am seeing locally is that educational quality directly impacts community development and property values. When districts can successfully implement these literacy programs, we see stronger schools, which means families want to move into those neighborhoods, which strengthens the entire real estate market. The challenge is that without enough qualified advisors available across the entire Bay Area and beyond, some communities are getting left behind while others thrive, which creates uneven opportunity and ultimately affects how our neighborhoods develop.
