The Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE) has launched the Yolo Center for Language and Literacy to address critical literacy gaps in the county. The center’s mission is to improve classroom instruction and student learning across Yolo County and the greater Sacramento region.

“Literacy is the foundation for success. When children and youth develop strong literacy skills, it has a direct impact on their success in school and beyond,” stated County Superintendent Garth Lewis. “With the support of UC Davis and UC San Diego, YCOE will provide the tools and resources needed to improve literacy across our schools, especially for multilingual learners.”

The California Department of Education revealed in 2022, that students in post-pandemic classrooms are stuggling to keep up.Over 42% of third-graders are able to read at grade level, and for students of marginalized communities, the statistics are even more staggering.

Only 30% of “disadvantaged” students were able to read at grade level in 2022, and now, only 45.1% of the children who were in third grade in 2019 can read at grade level, indicating kids are not catching up.

The center is supported by UC Davis’ Center for Public Service and Education (CPSE) and the California Reading and Literature Project (CRLP) at UC San Diego — which is part of the California Subject Matter Project.

The center will be led by Dr. Heather Schlaman, YCOE’s language and literacy coordinator.

“Our goal is to bring the latest research and best practices to the professional development of TK-12 educators,” Schlaman stated. “This is a unique opportunity to build a strong cohort of teacher leaders who are committed to delivering high-quality literacy instruction and supporting their colleagues region-wide.”

The Yolo Center’s initiatives include:

Establishing a regional site for the California Reading and Literature Project (CRLP) to offer literacy-focused professional learning for TK-12 educators.

Expanding the “CRECEMOS: Growing Bilingual Teachers” initiative to strengthen the bilingual teacher workforce, supported by the Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Grant.

Offering local professional development opportunities in the Sacramento region, focusing on effective instruction for multilingual learners.

“What makes the Yolo Center unique is the collaboration between higher education and the K-12 community,” Lewis added. “I’m excited about the programming and professional development it will bring, which I believe will benefit our county, the Sacramento region, and potentially have a statewide impact.”

The literacy center is meant to improve and expand on student language development, according to UC Davis’ CPSE Executive Director Nancy McTygue.

“By combining resources, expertise, and networks, we aim to create a sustainable, collaborative effort that benefits students in Yolo County, the Sacramento region, and across California,” she said.

For more details on the Yolo Center’s programs and upcoming events, visit the YCOE website at ycoe.org/yolocenter.