Utah is currently facing a literacy challenge, as nearly half of all young students cannot read at grade level. According to a 2026 report from the University Of Utah’s Kem C. Gardener Policy Institute, only 50.3% of students are currently meeting literacy expectations in the third grade.
If students begin to fall behind in third grade, they’ll struggle in the later grades especially junior high and beyond.
“We can say that those with lower literacy rates, correlates with dropping out of high school, which correlates with incarceration,” librarian Ranae Rudd said.
The issue also isn’t necessarily limited to third grade, as the same report mentions the proficiency reports are the same in kindergarten. This means the issue is starting before kids even reach elementary school.
Researchers say the causes of Utah’s literacy challenges are complex and begin early as a child. According to a report done by Gardner Institute, literacy develops before school and is influenced by factors like access to books, and early learning.
“I think part of it is that society [in] general doesn’t put enough emphasis on kids needing to read and be literate,” Rudd said.
The same report highlights disparities among groups of students. English language learners, students with learning disabilities, and students who have economically challenged backgrounds are the biggest groups that struggle with reading proficiency rates.
Teachers point to the importance of consistent evidence based instruction in schools.
A nonprofit in Utah did start up called Operation Literacy, a group aiming to help by making books more accessible by having authors visit schools, doing bookdrops to help kids, and starting a convention for kids, educators, and writers alike.
