Press Release: New York City Mayoral Candidates Affirm Literacy as a Civil Right at Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2025

New York City Mayoral Candidates Affirm Literacy as a Civil Right at Forum

NEW YORK, NY – Today, New York City mayoral candidates laid out their plans to make literacy a top priority, calling it a fundamental civil right and a gateway to lifelong opportunity.

Hosted by Advocates for Children of New York, EdTrust–New York, ExpandED Schools, Educators for Excellence, Literacy in Community (LINC), the Literacy Academy Collective, and the Windward School, the virtual forum brought the city’s urgent literacy crisis to the forefront of the 2025 mayoral race. Meisha Porter, former Chancellor of NYC Public Schools, and Jaime Williamson, Head of School at The Windward School, moderated the discussion. Congressman Adriano Espaillat and Richard Buery, CEO of Robin Hood, offered opening remarks.

“When children struggle to read, it affects everything from their confidence and mental health to their future earnings and freedom of choice,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “Literacy is not just a school issue—it’s a city issue.”

Candidates addressed the alarming state of reading outcomes in New York City. On the 2024 NAEP Reading exam, only 28% of fourth graders scored at or above proficient—rates that drop even lower among Black, Latinx, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and immigrant students. These disparities reflect deep, systemic inequities in access and opportunity.

“For too long, NYC has failed in the critically important task of teaching all students to read,” said Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York. “It's crucial for the next mayor to prioritize education policies and practices that ensure every student has access to effective core literacy instruction and can get the help they need if they struggle with reading. This means building upon the support and coaching provided to teachers through NYC Reads, developing a robust system of interventions for students of all grades and abilities who need more support, and partnering with families every step of the way.”

"For the first time, we’re reaching our most struggling readers—and the next four years will be pivotal in the lives of these students," said Ruth Genn, Executive Director of Literacy Academy Collective. "We know that 95% of children can learn to read when taught with evidence-based methods grounded in the science of reading, and if you’re the Mayor of this Big Red Apple, this is your moment to lead a historic literacy revolution—and get ALL children reading by 2035."

“Right now, thirty percent of Americans read at a 10-year-old level," said Shari Levine, Executive Director of Literacy in Community. "Literacy isn’t just about cute kids reading—it shapes our future workforce and voters. Our next mayor of NYC must prioritize literacy and ensure children get the support they need to become strong readers. NYC Reads has brought together experts from across disciplines to build the ecosystem children need to succeed. LINC is proud to be a part of this coalition and provide the expertise in early childhood and the crucial role families and communities have in supporting literacy. NYC is poised to lead the country in addressing this crucial need. A literate population is essential for our economy and our democracy. Our next Mayor can lead the way.”

Throughout the forum, candidates outlined how they would support literacy instruction grounded in the science of reading, invest in teacher preparation and professional development, and engage communities to extend literacy support beyond the classroom.

The event also spotlighted NYCReads—a citywide initiative delivering high-quality curriculum and training aligned to the science of reading, and building literacy partnerships across the five boroughs. Candidates shared their visions for sustaining and expanding this vital effort.

“Sustaining and expanding NYC Reads is critical,” said Marielys Divanne, Executive Director of Educators for Excellence. “Any effort to undo its progress would be devastating for our students and a betrayal of the educators who are finally seeing momentum with a consistent, evidence-based curriculum. All mayoral candidates who care about educational equity must commit to sustaining and expanding this work—ensuring New York City becomes a national model for literacy, not a cautionary tale of politics undoing progress.”

“We must teach our kids how to read,” said Arlen Benjamin-Gomez, Executive Director of EdTrust–New York. “The next mayor must not only protect the progress NYC Reads has made, but also urgently expand it—grounded in the science of reading and designed to ensure all students have equitable access to a rigorous, high-quality curriculum. This moment calls for bold, driven, and unwavering leadership committed to educational equity for every child.”

“Literacy is a fundamental right,” said Saskia Traill, President and CEO of ExpandED Schools. “We must ensure that every resource in New York City, from classroom teachers and school staff to tutors and afterschool enrichment specialists, from librarians and others working in our cultural institutions to those who teach very young children and their families works together so that every single young person can read. This kind of cross-city coordination takes Mayoral commitment, energy and drive, and we must sustain efforts to see real impact.”

As the city prepares to elect its next mayor, education advocates urged New Yorkers to demand bold leadership on literacy—because every child deserves the chance to read, thrive, and succeed.

*For media inquiries please email: etnymedia@edtrustny.org.