NAACP CA-HI Co-Sponsors Assemblywoman Rubio’s Early Literacy Bill AB 1121

Assemblywoman Rubio’s bill calls for an evidence-based approach to teaching children how to read

Sacramento, CA (March 18, 2025)  – The NAACP California Hawaii State Conference (NAACP CA-HI) has joined Decoding Dyslexia CA, EdVoice, and Families In Schools in sponsoring Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio’s new early literacy bill, AB 1121. The bill aims to ensure a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to teaching all California elementary school students how to read by addressing deep inequities around reading achievement for the state’s most vulnerable students. Details may be found on the campaign website www.californiakidsread.org.

“The NAACP California Hawaii State Conference’s principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority citizens in California and eliminate race prejudice,” said Rick L. Callender, President of the NAACP CA-HI State Conference. “We must prioritize equitable access to opportunity for children by ensuring that they can read. Reading is not only an education issue, it is a social justice issue,” added President Callender.

Only 2 in 10 Black third-grade students from low-income communities are reading on grade level in California. These numbers have remained mostly flat over the last decade. Today, Black students in California rank 39th (out of 42 states) in fourth-grade reading proficiency. The proficiency scores in 2024 are, in fact, lower than they were in 2002. Overall, California ranks 33rd in the nation in fourth-grade reading proficiency.

“The fact that Black students have been historically underserved in education is unacceptable. It’s time to change that. We need to fight for real educational equity in our classrooms. I’m proud to have the NAACP CA-HI standing with us in this effort,” said California State Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio (D-48). “We’ve made huge strides in understanding how kids learn to read. AB 1121 will make sure that research translates into real change in the classroom, giving all children the support they need to succeed academically and beyond. Every child deserves the right tools to become a strong reader,” added Assemblywoman Rubio.

By third grade, students move from learning to read to reading to learn, and those who are not on grade level rarely catch up on their academic journey. According to the latest data, only 36% of Black students completed their A-G requirements for UC/CSU admission, compared to 53% of white students.

“Improving outcomes in reading for Black students will also directly increase performance in other subjects, graduation rates, and college going rates. It will also decrease chronic absenteeism and suspensions, areas that often disproportionately affect Black students. Research consistently shows a correlation between success in early literacy and these other performance metrics,” said EdVoice Chief of Policy & Advocacy Heather Calomese.