JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Kids are heading back to school, and with that comes homework. But imagine struggling to read your child\u2019s assignments.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a reality for thousands of parents across our community, and those literacy challenges are often passed on to their children.<\/p>\n
An Action News Jax investigation explores efforts to support families and students in Duval County and introduces you to a mother working to break the cycle for her kids and herself.<\/p>\n
For Kenmeisha Brown, every story time with her children is a small victory. She earned a high school diploma and is employed, but says her learning differences have made reading a challenge that she\u2019s still working through today.<\/p>\n
Brown said, \u201cI have trouble with reading. And sometimes comprehending, but reading, more, most of my challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
She isn\u2019t alone. Data shows more than half of the adults in the United States read below a sixth-grade level. In Florida, about one in five adults struggle with basic literacy skills. <\/p>\n
Rachael Tutwiler Fortune is President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund<\/a>. She said, \u201cParents, they want to see their students succeed, but they might not always have the tools or the supports necessary to help the child.<\/p>\n Which raises the risk of intergenerational illiteracy.<\/p>\n A recent study<\/a> by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund found it\u2019s also one of the top barriers impacting children\u2019s literacy skills right here in Duval County.<\/p>\n Tutwiler Fortune said, \u201cWe really need to strengthen a birth-to-third plan. And so, you know, a lot of times we think about learning happening or starting or, you know, some of these reading skills beginning when kids are in kindergarten. No. No, this happens before kids are born.\u201d<\/p>\n Tutwiler Fortune said the county has made notable progress bridging early literacy gaps through curriculum focused on the science of reading, strengthening family partnerships, coaching for educators, tutoring for students as well as school and community-based wraparound support. That includes partners like the Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida<\/a>. It\u2019s where Brown turned for help, enrolling in reading and math classes. Brown said, \u201cIt really, truly has opened up my eyes to try to do much better in life.\u201d<\/p>\n Marcus Haile is President and CEO and said they offer flexible, free programs designed to meet people where they are. Haile said, \u201cOftentimes the barriers will become, I don\u2019t have the time, or I won\u2019t have the resources, or I just won\u2019t be able to make it through. And we wanna assure them all that. We\u2019re gonna work with them to make sure that they get to their goal for as long as they take. We will not stop.\u201d<\/p>\n Brown\u2019s goal is to change her family\u2019s future by showing her children what\u2019s possible, one page at a time.<\/p>\n You can take a look at the full JPEF study here<\/a> and learn more about local literacy resources for families below.<\/p>\n LITERACY RESOURCES, PROGRAMS & EVENTS<\/p>\n Jacksonville Public Education Fund: https:\/\/www.jaxpef.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida: https:\/\/literacyallnefl.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n Mayor Deegan\u2019s River City Readers Challenge: https:\/\/www.jacksonville.gov\/rivercityreaders<\/a><\/p>\n Duval County Public Schools (UFLI Foundations Literacy Curriculum): https:\/\/www.teamduval.org\/2023\/06\/13\/with-a-focus-on-phonics-new-literacy-program-is-rooted-in-science-of-reading\/<\/a><\/p>\n READ USA Literacy Tutoring Program: https:\/\/www.readusainc.com\/literacy-tutoring-program<\/a><\/p>\n Kids Hope Alliance: https:\/\/www.kidshopealliance.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n READ JAX: https:\/\/readjax.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n First Coast YMCA: https:\/\/fcymca.org\/programs\/child-care\/ymca-reads\/<\/a><\/p>\n New Worlds Reading Initiative: https:\/\/www.newworldsreading.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n Communities in Schools (Duval Reads): https:\/\/cisjax.org\/student-support-services-and-programs\/#literacy<\/a><\/p>\n Jaguars Literacy Locker Room: https:\/\/www.jaguars.com\/photos\/k000086-literacy-locker-room-jaxson-s-version-presented-by-jea#22b483bc-1d10-44f3-a918-7facf2103d1d<\/a><\/p>\n Jaguars\u2019 Mascot Jaxson de Ville\u2019s Book: https:\/\/www.jaguars.com\/news\/k000055-jaguars-mascot-jaxson-de-ville-debuts-new-children-s-book-jaxson-s-big-jump<\/a><\/p>\n Da Million Dollar Voice Academy: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/Da-Million-Dollar-Voice-Academy\/100093431023255\/?_rdr<\/a><\/p>\n Jacksonville Library Programs & Events for Kids: https:\/\/jaxpubliclibrary.org\/kids<\/a><\/p>\n Jacksonville Library\u2019s Read to a Therapy Dog: https:\/\/jaxpubliclibrary.libnet.info\/events?term=dog&r=range&start=2025-03-19&end=2025-12-31<\/a><\/p>\n JaxKids Book Club: https:\/\/jaxpubliclibrary.org\/jaxkids-book-club<\/a><\/p>\n Library Foundation of Jacksonville: https:\/\/www.lfjax.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n Jacksonville Humane Society\u2019s Pawsitive Reading Program: https:\/\/jaxhumane.org\/get-involved\/education\/pawsitive-reading\/<\/a><\/p>\n Tenikka\u2019s Books for Kids: https:\/\/www.actionnewsjax.com\/news\/local\/tenikkas-books-kids-is-back-year-8\/CDAEKY54LNEHDEJCASWQACE4H4\/<\/a><\/p>\n >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<<\/a><\/p>\n [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks<\/a>]<\/p>\n [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter<\/a>] <\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here<\/a> to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here<\/a> to stream Action News Jax live.<\/p>\n Action News Jax Top Stories<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Kids are heading back to school, and with that comes homework. 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