JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kids are heading back to school, and with that comes homework. But imagine struggling to read your child’s assignments.
That’s a reality for thousands of parents across our community, and those literacy challenges are often passed on to their children.
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.
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’s still working through today.
Brown said, “I have trouble with reading. And sometimes comprehending, but reading, more, most of my challenge.”
She isn’t 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.
Rachael Tutwiler Fortune is President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. She said, “Parents, they want to see their students succeed, but they might not always have the tools or the supports necessary to help the child.
Which raises the risk of intergenerational illiteracy.
A recent study by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund found it’s also one of the top barriers impacting children’s literacy skills right here in Duval County.
Tutwiler Fortune said, “We 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.”
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. It’s where Brown turned for help, enrolling in reading and math classes. Brown said, “It really, truly has opened up my eyes to try to do much better in life.”
Marcus Haile is President and CEO and said they offer flexible, free programs designed to meet people where they are. Haile said, “Oftentimes the barriers will become, I don’t have the time, or I won’t have the resources, or I just won’t be able to make it through. And we wanna assure them all that. We’re gonna work with them to make sure that they get to their goal for as long as they take. We will not stop.”
Brown’s goal is to change her family’s future by showing her children what’s possible, one page at a time.
You can take a look at the full JPEF study here and learn more about local literacy resources for families below.
LITERACY RESOURCES, PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Jacksonville Public Education Fund: https://www.jaxpef.org/
Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida: https://literacyallnefl.org/
Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers Challenge: https://www.jacksonville.gov/rivercityreaders
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/
READ USA Literacy Tutoring Program: https://www.readusainc.com/literacy-tutoring-program
Kids Hope Alliance: https://www.kidshopealliance.org/
READ JAX: https://readjax.org/
First Coast YMCA: https://fcymca.org/programs/child-care/ymca-reads/
New Worlds Reading Initiative: https://www.newworldsreading.com/en/
Communities in Schools (Duval Reads): https://cisjax.org/student-support-services-and-programs/#literacy
Jaguars Literacy Locker Room: https://www.jaguars.com/photos/k000086-literacy-locker-room-jaxson-s-version-presented-by-jea#22b483bc-1d10-44f3-a918-7facf2103d1d
Jaguars’ Mascot Jaxson de Ville’s Book: https://www.jaguars.com/news/k000055-jaguars-mascot-jaxson-de-ville-debuts-new-children-s-book-jaxson-s-big-jump
Da Million Dollar Voice Academy: https://www.facebook.com/people/Da-Million-Dollar-Voice-Academy/100093431023255/?_rdr
Jacksonville Library Programs & Events for Kids: https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/kids
Jacksonville Library’s Read to a Therapy Dog: https://jaxpubliclibrary.libnet.info/events?term=dog&r=range&start=2025-03-19&end=2025-12-31
JaxKids Book Club: https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/jaxkids-book-club
Library Foundation of Jacksonville: https://www.lfjax.org/
Jacksonville Humane Society’s Pawsitive Reading Program: https://jaxhumane.org/get-involved/education/pawsitive-reading/
Tenikka’s Books for Kids: https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/tenikkas-books-kids-is-back-year-8/CDAEKY54LNEHDEJCASWQACE4H4/
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