On Wednesday, the Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court unanimously approved a resolution urging districts countywide prioritize literacy.
TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — Tarrant County officials took a significant step toward encouraging school districts across the county to improve student literacy.
On Wednesday, the Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court unanimously passed a resolution to prioritize literacy in all independent school districts, calling for the implementation of actionable plans to ensure all students achieve grade-level reading.
Data from the Texas Education Agency reveals that more than half of third-grade students in 12 of the 26 school districts in Tarrant County fell short of meeting the reading standards for their grade in the 2023-2024 school year.
“We are shining a light on a literacy crisis and working to make Tarrant County a leader in education,” said Tarrant County Commissioner Manny Ramirez at a Wednesday news conference.
Ramirez, the sponsor of the resolution, pointed to research linking literacy to crime prevention. A study by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy shows that two-thirds of students who are not proficient in reading by fourth grade are more likely to end up incarcerated or reliant on welfare.
The literacy issue also has far-reaching effects on public safety and economic development, Ramirez added.
Wednesday’s news conference brought together leaders from various sectors of county leadership in support of the initiative, including Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes, and the superintendents of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw, Azle, and Lake Worth ISD.
“It takes all of us to make this happen,” Noakes stated. “This isn’t just talk; it’s a true commitment to making Tarrant County the safest community in America.”
The announcement follows the recent launch of Fort Worth ISD’s plan to help students reach grade-level reading.
“This is incredibly important,” O’Hare emphasized. “It’s all about taking care of our most valuable resource: our children.”
