From Commitment to Results: The Wayne County Literacy Promise and a Three-Year Journey of Rising ELA Achievement

Over the past three years, Wayne County has built one of the most unified regional literacy efforts in Michigan, culminating in the Wayne County Literacy Promise - signed by more than 30 superintendents. Through the Literacy Learning Network, districts have strengthened instructional coherence, aligned to high-quality instructional materials, and refined MTSS practices across classrooms and grade levels. During this period, Wayne County’s ELA M-STEP growth outpaced statewide progress, with several districts demonstrating exceptional improvement, including Romulus, Allen Park, Grosse Ile, Melvindale, and Westwood. At the same time, the county saw a significant reduction in CSI schools, reflecting stronger systems of instructional support and coherent literacy leadership. This session tells the story of how countywide collaboration, shared commitments, and aligned professional learning helped accelerate literacy outcomes for students across Wayne County.