Reading Starts Here: Building Skills for Lifelong Learning at Arizona Virtual Academy

Learning to read is one of the biggest milestones of a child’s early education. It starts with recognizing letters and sounding out words, then gradually grows into something much bigger: the ability to pick up a book, understand a story and use reading to explore everything from science and history to the world around them. 

That journey can look different for every child. Some students take to reading quickly, while others need additional time, practice or support to build confidence. What matters is recognizing when a child may be struggling and providing the right support early. 

That’s especially important in Arizona, where just 36% of third graders met proficiency on the state’s English Language Arts assessment in 2025, according to data from the Arizona Department of Education. 

While these numbers are concerning, Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) Executive Director Forrest Smith says it should also serve as a reminder that literacy outcomes aren’t inevitable. Schools have an opportunity and a responsibility to identify readers who are struggling early and respond with evidence-based instruction before students fall further behind. 

Third Grade is a Critical Milestone 

The most critical foundational learning period happens during kindergarten and continues through third grade. By third grade, students are expected to transition from learning to read, to reading to learn by demonstrating proficiency in phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.  

That’s why third grade is about much more than a reading score. Strong literacy skills help students understand math problems, follow along with science lessons, research history topics and become increasingly independent learners. When those foundational skills aren’t in place, challenges can extend well beyond English language arts. 

“Third grade should not be the time schools discover a problem – it should be the checkpoint that confirms whether earlier interventions were successful or remediation is necessary,’ says Mr. Smith. 

Interventions Should Come Early 

At AZVA and its sister school, Insight Academy of Arizona (ISAZ), which specializes in supporting students who are behind on credits, literacy instruction begins with understanding exactly where each student is. 

Students participate in regular reading assessments that identify specific areas of need, allowing teachers to personalize instruction based on individual performance. Students who need additional support can access up to 60 minutes of live tutoring each week, while those requiring more intensive intervention receive an additional 60 minutes of small-group instruction with a dedicated literacy interventionist. Students who demonstrate mastery are equally supported through opportunities for advanced learning, ensuring every child continues to grow. 

Early literacy screenings can help teachers identify specific skill gaps, allowing instruction to be adjusted before those challenges become more significant. When instruction is timely, intentional and built around individual student needs, it becomes the foundation for success across every subject.  

Literacy Requires Intentional Instruction 

Learning to read takes practice, but it also takes purposeful instruction grounded in research. Explicit phonics instruction should start in early education, followed by strong literacy instruction, modeling of reading comprehension strategies, encouraging meaningful discussions about what students read, and providing opportunities for small-group instruction tailored to student needs. 

The goal isn’t simply to help students reach a benchmark. It’s to give them the skills and confidence to become readers who can continue learning independently as they progress through school. 

Families Complete the Picture 

Schools play a critical role in building strong readers, but literacy doesn’t begin and end in the classroom. Families can reinforce those skills by asking questions about a story, encouraging independent reading or simply making books part of everyday life. When AZVA teachers and parents work together, students receive the consistent support they need to become confident, capable readers. 

Mr. Smith added, “Arizona’s literacy challenges are significant, but they are not insurmountable, and the schools willing to act early are the ones that will move the needle.” 

Enrollment is open at AZVA – visit our enrollment page to start move the needle today! 

Back to Blog