Shasta County Is Writing California’s Next Literacy Success Story

Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and that journey begins with one of the most important skills they will ever learn: the ability to read.

Reading is the foundation for every other subject. A child who can read confidently is better prepared to succeed in math, science, history, career and technical education, college, military service, and life.

As a father, registered nurse, and your Shasta County Board of Education Trustee, I believe our responsibility is clear. We must keep our schools focused on their core mission—helping every student master the academic skills they need to succeed.

That is why I am proud of the work taking place through the Shasta County Office of Education’s Powering Reading Initiative and our partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Together, these efforts are helping children develop strong reading skills before they enter school and supporting them throughout their elementary years.

Building Literacy Before Kindergarten

One of the best investments we can make is helping children develop a love for reading before they ever step into a classroom.

Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, eligible children receive a free, age-appropriate book every month from birth through age five. Those books become opportunities for parents and grandparents to spend time reading together, building vocabulary, encouraging curiosity, and preparing children for kindergarten.

Reading together for just a few minutes each day can have a lasting impact on a child’s future.

Local Results Show Real Progress

The work happening here in Shasta County is already making a difference.

Recent results from the Powering Reading Initiative show students are steadily building the foundational reading skills they need to become successful readers.

As students move through each grade, more children are mastering essential reading concepts through evidence-based instruction, early intervention, and targeted support. Teachers are identifying students who need extra help earlier than ever before and providing that support before small learning gaps become larger ones.

Simply put, more children are learning to read with confidence.

Behind every chart and graph is a child who can now read a book independently.

A teacher whose hard work is paying off.

A parent who has renewed hope.

Those are the results that matter most.

Learning From Success

Across the country, states that have focused on evidence-based literacy instruction have shown that meaningful improvement is possible.

Mississippi provides one example. After years of struggling with reading achievement, the state invested in teacher training, Science of Reading instruction, early screening, and targeted intervention. Their commitment to proven practices produced remarkable improvements in student literacy.

The lesson isn’t that Shasta County should copy another state.

The lesson is that children succeed when adults stay focused on what works.

I believe Shasta County has the opportunity to become a statewide leader in literacy by continuing to build on the excellent work already underway.

Imagine every child benefiting from:

Free books in the home before kindergarten through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Strong, evidence-based reading instruction in every elementary classroom.

Early screening to identify struggling readers before they fall behind.

Highly trained teachers supported with ongoing professional development.

Reading Pals and community volunteers helping students succeed.

Parents equipped with practical tools to support reading at home.

Local businesses, churches, civic organizations, and nonprofits working together to promote literacy throughout our county.

This isn’t about one program.

It’s about creating a complete literacy pipeline that supports children from birth through graduation.

Parents Are a Child’s First Teacher

Schools play an essential role, but parents remain a child’s first and most influential teacher.

The greatest literacy gains happen when learning continues after the school day ends.

Reading together.

Talking about stories.

Visiting the library.

Asking questions.

Encouraging curiosity.

These simple habits build confident readers and lifelong learners.

Education should never replace parents.

It should empower them.

My Vision for Shasta County Literacy

If re-elected to the Shasta County Board of Education, I will continue supporting policies that strengthen academic excellence by:

Expanding early literacy opportunities.

Supporting evidence-based reading instruction.

Encouraging meaningful parent involvement.

Investing in teacher excellence and professional development.

Using data to measure progress and improve student outcomes.

Keeping our schools focused on academics, accountability, and student success.

Every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident reader.

When children learn to read well, they gain the confidence to dream bigger, think critically, solve problems, and build successful futures.

That is the future I believe in.

That is the future we are building together.

And that is why I am asking for your support.

Together, we can make Shasta County not only one of California’s best places to live, but one of the very best places for a child to learn to read.

Thank you for believing in our children.

Thank you for believing in our schools.

And thank you for joining me as we continue building a stronger future for Shasta County.

Authur Gorman, RN, MSN

Shasta County Board of Education Trustee, Area 2

Candidate for Re-Election