San Diego Unified Celebrates Literacy Education In March

March 6, 2026

The San Diego Unified School District Board of Education officially designated March 2 as National Read Across America Day, with district schools celebrating literacy through various activities from March 2-6. The recognition coincides with the district's strong performance on national reading assessments, where fourth and eighth graders outperformed California averages and other major urban districts between 2019 and 2024. Schools hosted community guest readers, book swaps, read-a-thons, and spirit days, while also commemorating a 30-year partnership between Central Elementary and the Lawyers Club of San Diego.

Who is affected

Students in grades 3-8 and 11 in San Diego Unified School District
Fourth and eighth-grade students specifically measured in NAEP assessments
Educators and teachers across the district
Families of students in the district
Central Elementary School in City Heights
Members of the Lawyers Club of San Diego
Trustees Sharon Whitehurst-Payne and Shana Hazan
Superintendent Fabi Bagula and Board of Education members

What action is being taken

Schools across the district are celebrating Read Across America Week (March 2-6) with engaging activities
Schools are hosting guest readers from the community, themed spirit days, book swaps, read-a-thons, and special literacy events
Superintendent Bagula and Board of Education members are visiting school sites to read with students
The Department of Literacy, Equity, Access & Opportunity is providing targeted support, professional learning, and side-by-side coaching to schools

Why it matters

Literacy serves as the fundamental building block for educational opportunity, enabling students to develop confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking skills essential for understanding the world. The district's improved reading performance demonstrates that strategic investments in literacy education are producing measurable results, with San Diego Unified outpacing both state averages and peer urban districts. Strong literacy achievement is central to closing opportunity gaps and ensuring all students can access future academic and career success, making these gains particularly significant for the diverse student population served by the district.

What's next

The district aims to increase CAASPP Smarter Balanced Assessment ELA scores by 18 points, from 6.9 points above standard in June 2024 to 24.9 points above standard by June 2030
The annual Spring Read-In at Central Elementary School will take place on March 6th, bringing attorneys and judges into classrooms to read with students
Green Elementary will host a Read Across America event at a date and time to be determined

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint