Georgia Deploys 60 Literacy Coaches to Boost Reading

Teachers at high-need elementary schools in Savannah and across Georgia are receiving new support to improve reading instruction.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Primary Education

Gouache-painted illustration of three stacked cloth-bound books on a wooden table, representing literacy support for Georgia elementary school teachers. — Georgia education officials are deploying 60 literacy coaches to support teachers in high-need elementary schools in Savannah and throughout the state. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Georgia state and federal education leaders recently toured a Savannah elementary school to evaluate a literacy coaching initiative. The program supports educators at institutions identified as having the state's highest academic needs.

Why it matters

This program aims to improve student reading proficiency by providing targeted support to teachers in schools that are currently in the bottom 5 percent of performance across Georgia.

The initiative has deployed 60 full-time literacy coaches to support classrooms within the lowest 5 percent of performing schools in Georgia. This site visit to Susie King Taylor Community School allowed officials to observe how these coaches integrate research-based strategies.

The players

Susie King Taylor Community School

A Savannah elementary school that serves as a pilot site for the state's literacy coaching program.

The details

Literacy coaches act as specialized mentors who help classroom teachers translate complex reading research into practical daily lessons. By embedding these professionals directly into schools with the greatest need, the state aims to build a more robust framework for reading development. Coaches work alongside staff to refine instruction techniques, which are then applied during regular classroom hours to improve student engagement.

October 23, 2026: State and federal leaders conducted a site visit at the Susie King Taylor Community School.

The Home Front

This program aligns with broader state efforts to address educational inequality by concentrating resources in the schools that face the most significant achievement gaps. By focusing on teacher support rather than student-only interventions, the state is prioritizing systemic instructional improvements.

Parents with children attending these schools can look for consistent literacy strategies being implemented in their student's daily classroom routine. Families should feel empowered to ask their teacher about the specific reading goals their student is working toward this semester.

The takeaway

The presence of literacy coaches in schools represents a strategic push to raise reading proficiency across the state. Parents should keep an eye on school communications for updates on how these new resources are influencing reading curriculum at home.