JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A newly-released national report shows Florida students are slipping behind in literacy.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the state dropped to 43rd in the nation for 8th-grade reading scores, sparking concern among educators and community advocates.

“We’re still seeing the long-lasting effects of COVID on student scores,” said Sharneka Rollins, Literacy Director for Communities In Schools of Jacksonville. “Our teachers and coaches are really trying hard to keep up, but sometimes you need additional support that can come in.”

That support is needed most in Duval County, where the numbers paint a troubling picture: nearly half of local students struggle to read, only 51% of third graders are proficient, and just 39% of kindergarteners

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