In the United States, only 32 percent of fourth graders are reading at or above grade level. That means nearly seven out of ten students are not equipped to fully access grade-level content across any subject, including science, math, and technology. Students who are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. In order to increase the number of students attending college and pursuing STEM careers, we must first invest in foundational reading skills. Literacy is not only the first step to academic success—it is essential for participation in STEM and technology fields from navigating digital platforms and interpreting information online, to understanding how code works. Foundational literacy is not optional for technology access -- it is the entry point for digital fluency.

The Lucy Project’s Literacy Hub drives systems-level changes in reading instruction and intervention. Through high-impact reading intervention and teacher coaching, The Lucy Project ensures that all students have the foundational literacy skills they need to access future learning. The model integrates on-site instructional coaching, targeted student interventions, and collaborative work with school leaders to transform how reading is taught and supported. In the 2025–2026 school year, the Literacy Hub will operate in three Miami-Dade public schools and one charter school. In its most recent implementation, 88% of students receiving interventions made measurable reading gains, moving them toward full access to the language, logic, and critical thinking required in STEM and tech pathways.