California’s early literacy crisis is not a future concern. It is happening now. In the Inland Empire, only 37 percent of third-grade students read at grade level, below the state average of 43 percent. The data tell a sobering but familiar story: persistent racial, socioeconomic, and linguistic disparities continue to limit opportunity for too many students in our region.

GIA’s new policy paper, “Early Literacy Is the Foundation to Equitable Opportunity: Why AB 1454 Matters,” explores the urgency of this challenge and why Assembly Bill 1454 represents a meaningful opportunity for systems-level change in California, particularly in the Inland Empire.

This concise brief offers regional context, policy framing, and clear recommendations for education leaders, district administrators, and civic stakeholders committed to improving literacy outcomes.

Read the Full Paper

Download the full policy brief