South Fulton Today

Georgia ranks 28th in the nation for 4th grade reading proficiency, according to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress scores. To address this literacy crisis and celebrate Georgia Reads Day, government and education leaders gathered at the Georgia State Capitol. They recognized the 2025 Georgia Reads Community Award winners and READBowl Champions.

The Georgia Council on Literacy hosted the event. The Georgia Reads Community Award aims to unify and empower the literacy ecosystem. It recognized ten communities with partnerships of at least three years and proven literacy improvements, awarding them $25,000 each to enhance their efforts. These schools will also be locally recognized in March and April through a Reading Rally led by Malcolm Mitchell, CEO & Founder of the Share the Magic Foundation.

The award recipients are Believe Greater Dalton, Ben Hill School District, Black Child Development Institute-Atlanta, Charlton County Board of Education, Cobb Collaborative Inc., Dooly County Schools, Lamar County School System, Marietta City Schools, Read Source & Purpose-Built Schools of Atlanta, and RISE Augusta.

The READBowl is a global reading competition that encourages students from early learners to high schoolers to participate. Classrooms with the highest average reading minutes become state champions. This year’s competition saw 61,149,850 minutes read by 128,018 Georgia students.

Winners of the 2025 READBowl include classrooms from Waynesboro Primary School, David L. Ranier Elementary School, Albany Middle School, and Chattahoochee County High School.

Georgia Reads partnered with several organizations for this event: Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Georgia Municipal Association, GeorgiaFoward, and Share the Magic Foundation.

“Literacy is the foundation for lifelong success," stated Burt Jones, Lt. Governor. "Thanks to these local leaders alongside the Council’s efforts we are making meaningful progress...These outstanding communities have shown incredible dedication to improving literacy."

Jon Burns added that "Improving literacy outcomes for Georgia’s students has been...a top priority...We’re proud to support...the communities receiving [the] award...By championing literacy measures...we are making real progress..."

This article was provided by Georgia CEO and published on February 25th.