Leon County Schools, FSU Expand Impact Through Literacy Partnership

*Leon High School Students volunteering with the H2E Program at Kate Sullivan Elementary.

ReadUp Initiative Strengthens Literacy Across Leon County Schools

Leon County Schools is proud to highlight its ongoing partnership with Florida State University’s Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) through the ReadUp initiative, a collaborative effort now entering its sixth year. This partnership brings together educators, researchers, and students to implement research-based strategies that improve literacy outcomes across all grade levels. Through ReadUp, Leon County Schools and FSU are working together to address literacy from early learning through middle school, while also building a future pipeline of educators.

One of the initiative’s most impactful components is the High School to Elementary (H2E) Tutoring Project. In this program, FSU researchers trained 26 Leon High School students to provide daily, one-on-one tutoring to kindergarten students at Kate Sullivan Elementary. After just nine weeks of targeted instruction using the UFLI curriculum, the percentage of participating kindergarteners meeting or exceeding grade-level standards increased from 0 percent to 47 percent. In addition to student gains, the program is helping shape the future workforce, with 15 percent of high school tutors reporting increased interest in pursuing careers in education.

At the middle school level, the partnership continues to expand literacy support. At Nims Middle School, FSU teacher candidates collaborate with classroom teachers to support lesson planning and model effective instructional practices. At Griffin Middle School, 17 teachers have participated in a professional learning series designed to integrate literacy strategies across all subject areas.

The partnership also emphasizes early literacy development through Project BEL (Building Emergent Literacy), which provides specialized training for pre-kindergarten educators and paraprofessionals. More than half of the district’s pre-K teachers have completed the 20-hour training, strengthening the connection between early language development and long-term reading success.

In addition, FCRR continues to support curriculum implementation and teacher development across the district. Through its ongoing study of the UFLI curriculum, researchers are examining how foundational reading instruction can be adapted to meet the needs of struggling readers, including those served through Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs. Teachers and school leaders also benefit from monthly collaboration meetings, beginning-of-year trainings, and access to a centralized online repository of instructional resources.

The partnership extends beyond the classroom as well. Parent literacy kiosks have been installed at select school sites, including Fort Braden School, to provide families with tools and resources to support reading at home. Meanwhile, a newly developed data dashboard gives school leaders real-time access to key literacy metrics, helping guide instruction and track student progress.

Superintendent Rocky Hanna emphasized the importance of the partnership in advancing student success:

“This partnership with Florida State University is a great example of what happens when we come together with a shared purpose. We’re not just talking about improving reading scores—we’re building systems that support our teachers, engage our students, and strengthen our community. The results we’re seeing, especially with our youngest learners, show that this work is making a real difference. And just as important, we’re inspiring the next generation of educators right here in Leon County.”

Leon County Schools remains committed to expanding opportunities through innovative partnerships that support student achievement and prepare every child for success.