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Park City School District Meets Utah Literacy Benchmark
Only district in the state to achieve 70% third-grade reading proficiency goal in 2025
Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:39pm
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A new report from the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Institute found that only the Park City School District met the state's goal of having 70% of third-grade students proficient in reading, while the statewide average was just 50.3%. The district's approach focuses on the key components of Scarborough's Reading Rope, including early investment in preschool and evidence-based teaching materials.
Why it matters
Literacy proficiency by third grade is a critical benchmark, as research shows students who read at grade level by that point are more likely to stay on track, graduate high school, and enroll in college. Park City's success highlights the importance of targeted, evidence-based literacy instruction, especially in the early grades.
The details
The Park City School District reported 70.1% of its third graders reading at grade level in 2025, narrowly surpassing the state's 70% benchmark. In contrast, the Piute School District in southern Utah had less than 30% of third graders meeting expectations. Park City's approach focuses on the key components of Scarborough's Reading Rope, including developing oral language, phonemic awareness, and phonics in preschool, as well as using structured literacy programs and data-driven adjustments throughout the elementary grades.
- The state of Utah set a goal of having 70% of third-grade students proficient in reading by 2027.
- The Kem C. Gardner Institute report analyzed literacy data for the 2025 school year.
The players
Park City School District
A school district in Park City, Utah that was the only district in the state to meet the 70% third-grade reading proficiency benchmark in 2025.
Kem C. Gardner Institute
A research institute at the University of Utah that published a report analyzing third-grade reading proficiency across Utah school districts.
Katie McGinn
A literacy specialist with the Park City School District who explained the district's approach to reading instruction.
Hollis Scarborough
A leading literacy expert and psychologist who developed Scarborough's Reading Rope, which is the foundation of Park City's literacy program.
Piute School District
A school district in southern Utah that had less than 30% of third graders meeting reading proficiency expectations.
What they’re saying
“Research confirms that students who read proficiently by third grade are more likely to stay on grade level, graduate from high school and enroll in college. We are opening doors to a future where every path is possible. Ultimately, high literacy rates lead to higher earnings, better health and stronger community engagement.”
— Katie McGinn, Literacy Specialist, Park City School District (parkrecord.com)
“The journey to becoming a skilled reader begins in our preschool classrooms. We focus on the critical building blocks of literacy: oral language, phonemic awareness and phonics. These early skills empower students to decode words effectively and develop the background knowledge necessary to comprehend text.”
— Katie McGinn, Literacy Specialist, Park City School District (parkrecord.com)
“Early investment in preschool is critical for building the foundation of literacy. It develops phonemic awareness, the ability to hear individual sounds, which is a key indicator of future reading success. If a student cannot hear sounds, they cannot match them to letters, making spelling and decoding a struggle. Investing resources at this stage allows us to possibly shift a child's trajectory by kindergarten.”
— Katie McGinn, Literacy Specialist, Park City School District (parkrecord.com)
What’s next
The state of Utah will continue to monitor third-grade reading proficiency rates, with the goal of having 70% of students reading at grade level by 2027.
The takeaway
Park City's success in meeting the state's literacy benchmark highlights the importance of evidence-based, comprehensive reading instruction starting in the early grades. Their approach, rooted in Scarborough's Reading Rope, provides a model for other districts seeking to improve reading proficiency and set students up for long-term academic and life success.
