This year, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a proclamation declaring September 30, 2024, as Georgia Reads Day. The purpose is to raise public awareness around low state literacy rates and bring attention to the Georgia Reads movement, a statewide initiative headed by the Georgia Council on Literacy that aims to improve reading skills for Georgians of all ages through a unified, community-centric approach. 

Like many states, Georgia struggles with reading proficiency, especially at the end of third grade. Georgia’s state ranking on the NAEP is 28^th in fourth grade reading achievement and the 40th percentile of working-age individuals without a High School Equivalency. Georgia Reads recognizes that literacy improvement does not rest on a single entity but is a collective responsibility of the community. By unifying fragmented and unaligned efforts, Georgia Reads aims to guide our state to improved literacy rates one community at a time. By aligning efforts and including every Georgian in this work, the state aspires to rank number one in the nation in reading in the next five years.

The Georgia Council on Literacy hosted a press conference and Reading Rally at the College Football Hall of Fame to celebrate the occasion. Over 300 Atlanta Public School students participated in the rally that GPTV broadcast live for students around the state to tune in. Malcolm Mitchell, former University of Georgia football star and Super Bowl LI champion, led the Rally. Mitchell, a Georgia native, is the CEO and Founder of the Share the Magic Foundation, a partner of Georgia Reads, and considers discovering his love for reading his greatest accomplishment.

"As a child who struggled with reading, literacy is a topic that I am very passionate about. Since 2016, my foundation has transformed children's lives through reading," stated Malcolm Mitchell. “"We've seen incredible transformations - children who once shied away from books now eagerly embracing stories, and families coming together over shared reading experiences. Our work has shown us that literacy is not just about decoding words; it is about opening doors to imagination, knowledge, and self-confidence. We are honored to partner with Georgia Reads to spread the magic of literacy to children and adults across the state."

“We know the power of reading is crucial to unlocking opportunities throughout every student’s life,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Alongside the Council and our partners in the legislature, we’ll keep working to promote literacy in all four corners of the state and prepare our next generation for a lifetime of success.”

“I want to commend and thank the Georgia Council on Literacy, Malcolm Mitchell and all of the partners involved in launching and making Georgia Reads Day and Georgia Reads a success,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Events and initiatives like this, including our recent book drive where we collected over 4,700 books to the Georgia Council on Literacy, will further encourage community engagement in our goal to improve literacy outcomes for all of Georgia’s students. Literacy is a critical skill for the future success of our children, our state’s workforce, and Georgia’s status as the best place to live, work and raise a family. I look forward to continuing to support these efforts.” 

"Reading is a fundamental life skill that impacts social and economic outcomes as well as academic ones," said Speaker of the House Jon Burns. "When we improve literacy rates, we're not just raising test scores – we're opening doors to better job opportunities, enhancing critical thinking skills, and fostering civic participation. Literacy is the foundation upon which we build not only educated students but also empowered adults, stronger families, and more vibrant communities. By investing in literacy, we're investing in the overall well-being and future prosperity of Georgia."