HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Horry County Schools kicked off the new academic year with its first board meeting, focusing heavily on boosting student literacy.
The district unveiled its “Rise with Reading” initiative, which aims for 95% of students to read at or above grade level by 2030. Currently, that number sits at around 74%.
“It’s a lofty goal, but we are all for it,” said Communications Director Lisa Bourcier. “We’re prioritizing literacy across all grade levels this year,” Bourcier said, highlighting the district’s commitment to helping every student improve reading skills.
The plan includes professional development for teachers, stronger monitoring systems, targeted instructional coaching, and greater parent engagement.
Board Member Debbie Edmonds highlighted progress under the Read to Succeed Act, noting third-grade retention numbers have dropped from 600 at-risk students to just four. She also pointed to new literacy supports across programs in agriculture, career and technical education, special education, and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.
Bourcier also credited the board for funding new teacher training tools and stressed the importance of building literacy skills early.
“The big part is the foundation of the science of reading in our elementary schools,” she said, “and continuing that into writing abilities in middle and high school as well.”
