BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – When Alabama released its reading scores in June, the numbers showed progress in many places, struggles in others – and one district that stood out.

The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) recently highlighted Wilcox County, one of the state’s poorest school districts, where 96% of third graders hit the state’s benchmark score on the spring reading test. The remaining 4% reached the mark after summer reading camp, meaning every child was cleared to move on to fourth grade.

While poverty has a well-documented impact on test scores, Wilcox students are showing that relationship isn’t set in stone. More than 90% of the county’s students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, the highest rate of economic disadvantage in the state.

Rep. Terri Collins, R-De

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