The Yolo County Office of Education has launched the Yolo Center for Language and Literacy to address critical literacy gaps in Yolo County, where only 42 percent of third-grade students are reading at grade level, according to a 2024 report from the California Department of Education.

The center’s mission is to improve classroom instruction and student learning across Yolo County and the greater Sacramento region.

“Literacy is the foundation for success. When children and youth develop strong literacy skills, it has a direct impact on their success in school and beyond,” said County Superintendent Garth Lewis, in a news release. “With the support of UC Davis and UC San Diego, YCOE will provide the tools and resources needed to improve literacy across our schools, especially for multilingual learners.”

The center is supported by UC Davis’ Center for Public Service and Education and the California Reading and Literature Project at UC San Diego — which is part of the California Subject Matter Project.

The center will be led by Dr. Heather Schlaman, YCOE’s language and literacy coordinator. “Our goal is to bring the latest research and best practices to the professional development of TK-12 educators,” said Schlaman. “This is a unique opportunity to build a strong cohort of teacher leaders who are committed to delivering high-quality literacy instruction and supporting their colleagues regionwide.”

The Yolo Center’s initiatives include:

• Establishing a regional site for the California Reading and Literature Project to offer literacy-focused professional learning for TK-12 educators.
• Expanding the “CRECEMOS: Growing Bilingual Teachers” initiative to strengthen the bilingual teacher workforce, supported by the Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Grant.
• Offering local professional development opportunities in the Sacramento region, focusing on effective instruction for multilingual learners.

“What makes the Yolo Center unique is the collaboration between higher education and the K-12 community,” Lewis said. “I’m excited about the programming and professional development it will bring, which I believe will benefit our county, the Sacramento region, and potentially have a statewide impact.”

“We envision the Yolo Center as a way to improve and expand our collective efforts to foster student literacy and language development,” said Nancy McTygue, UC Davis’ CPSE executive director. “By combining resources, expertise, and networks, we aim to create a sustainable, collaborative effort that benefits students in Yolo County, the Sacramento region, and across California.”

For more details on the Yolo Center’s programs and upcoming events, visit the YCOE website at ycoe.org/yolocenter.