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Partnership for Miami Commits Nearly $2 Million to Enhance Literacy Education

On September 16, 2025, the Partnership for Miami (PFM) publicly announced a bold commitment of almost $2 million to enhance early literacy through The Lucy Project’s initiative, the Literacy Hub, across schools in Miami-Dade County. This funding aims to strengthen literacy education by implementing structured literacy strategies in four selected schools over the next three years, impacting around 800 students from pre-kindergarten through second grade.

Studies indicate that students who cannot read proficiently by the end of third grade face significant challenges in their future academic pursuits. The structured literacy model offered by The Lucy Project presents a proven approach to address and reverse this trend. Earlier trials at Norwood Elementary, a Title I public school in Miami Gardens, showed extraordinary results: reading proficiency among preschool students skyrocketed from 52% to 91% within just one year. Furthermore, a remarkable number of students were accepted into the Gifted Education Program, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in elevating literacy skills.

PFM leader Raul Moas emphasizes, “In a world where literacy is the gateway to lifelong opportunities, our children deserve educational methodologies that unlock their full potential.” By collaborating with local teachers, The Lucy Project aims to deepen the implementation of evidence-based structured literacy practices, providing targeted support for struggling students.

Sandra Bermudez, founder of The Lucy Project, adds, “We are immensely grateful to the Partnership for Miami for acknowledging the urgent literacy crisis facing our city and mobilizing leaders to enact meaningful solutions.” The four schools set to participate in this initiative include Auburndale Elementary, Beacon College Prep, Florida City Elementary, and the already successful Norwood Elementary. Each will receive three years of teacher training along with small group support, overseen by the schools themselves, complemented by independent research to monitor and verify outcomes.

Robert Sanchez, a board member of PFM and the CEO of Ryder System, commented, “Miami is our home, and we believe its future relies on the strength of its schools and the success of its children.” His statement reflects the commitment of various community stakeholders to improve educational outcomes in the region.

To further affirm its dedication to act decisively for the 340,000 students in public schools from preschool to high school in the county, PFM also released an inaugural comprehensive report titled Beyond the Grade: A Close Look at Miami's K-12 System. This report provides insights into the current state of education in Miami-Dade, highlighting strengths and areas in need of improvement while presenting solutions for future growth.

Key findings of the report include:

• - Achievement Gaps: While Miami-Dade public schools have maintained an impressive “A” rating for six consecutive years, a mere 41% of students in grades three to ten are proficient in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
• - Comparative Performance: Miami ranked favorably compared to most large cities in the 2024 NAEP assessment, but still, only 22% of eighth graders achieved proficiency in Mathematics, and just 28% in Reading.
• - Potential for Success: Despite the challenges, more than 80% of students in the top-performing public schools in Miami meet or exceed proficiency levels.

For those interested in delving deeper, the complete report, Beyond the Grade: A Close Look at Miami's K-12 System, can be downloaded at partnershipformiami.com/beyond-the-grade-miami-k-12.

About Partnership for Miami

The Partnership for Miami is a coalition of business leaders dedicated to civic engagement, aimed at fostering collaboration among public and private sectors to create a Miami that works for all. This initiative works alongside community organizations, policy-makers, and philanthropists to devise and implement solutions in critical areas impacting Miami’s long-term success, including education, transportation, and housing.

About The Lucy Project

The Lucy Project is a non-profit organization focused on ensuring all children have access to high-quality literacy education, regardless of their zip code. Grounded in the Science of Reading, it provides structured literacy interventions and supports teachers with training and professional development. The Lucy Project is committed to closing the literacy gap, one student, classroom, and school at a time, believing that reading is a right, not a privilege.

For more information about The Lucy Project, visit lucyproject.org.