The Rural Reader (11.26.25)

Written By Joan Schumann

Welcome to The Rural Reader: A New Voice for Northern California Literacy

Northern California is home to some of the most resilient, close-knit, and resourceful communities in the state. Yet across our region—from Butte to Siskiyou, from Glenn to Trinity—far too many children, youth, and adults face persistent barriers to literacy. These challenges are not due to a lack of intelligence, effort, or care. They are the result of decades of under-resourced schools, limited access to high-quality training, rural isolation, and a lack of coordinated literacy support across counties.

That is why the Northern California Literacy Collaborative (NCLC) was created.

NCLC is a regional coalition of educators, community leaders, higher education partners, and literacy advocates working together toward one shared goal:

Every child, youth, and adult in Northern California deserves the opportunity to become a confident, capable reader and writer.

Why We Exist

Decades of literacy research show that with high-quality, science-aligned instruction and targeted support 95% of students can learn to read at or near grade level.

(Spear-Swerling, 2015)

Yet many Northern California counties remain below state averages in early reading, third-grade proficiency, and high school literacy outcomes. Rural families face barriers to early learning access, multilingual learners often lack structured language supports, and adult learners have limited literacy pathways.

At the same time, our educators—across public schools, alternative education, charter systems, and adult learning—do not always receive the science-based training they need and deserve.

NCLC is here to change that—together.

Our Focus

We are building a collaborative, regional model focused on:

  • Empowering educators with science-based reading instruction and assessment

  • Strengthening early childhood and family literacy

  • Supporting adult learners with foundational skills for economic mobility

  • Partnering with community organizations to expand access to books, tutoring, and resources

  • Bridging rural gaps in professional learning, technology, and intervention services

  • Advancing research and data transparency to guide ongoing improvement

We believe every community—from the smallest foothill town to our region’s metro hubs—can benefit from shared training, shared resources, and shared commitment.

What You Can Expect from The Rural Reader

This blog will share:

  • Evidence-based literacy practices educators can use tomorrow

  • Success stories from across Northern California

  • Regional data and insights to inform collective action

  • Invitations to trainings, events, and volunteer opportunities

  • Spotlight features on local schools, libraries, tutors, and community champions

  • Updates on NCLC initiatives, partnerships, and programs

Our Goal:

To keep our region informed, inspired, and united in the work of literacy.

Join Us!

Whether you are a teacher, librarian, parent, school leader, volunteer tutor, nonprofit partner, or community advocate—you belong in this work.

Together, we can ensure that every learner in Northern California has the literacy skills needed for a thriving future.

Welcome to The Rural Reader.
Welcome to the Collaborative.

Joan Schumann