Gov. Lee Visits Schools for ‘Read Across America’ Week, Proclaims Literacy Month in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Monday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee marked March 2-6 as Read Across America Week and proclaimed it Literacy Month in Tennessee, highlighting the Administration’s work to strengthen literacy and prepare young readers for success. Governor and First Lady Maria Lee visited Trousdale Elementary School in Trousdale County and Defeated Elementary School in Smith County to read with students.

“Tennessee students are leading the nation in reading proficiency gains thanks to our state’s strong literacy strategy and teachers’ dedication to supporting young readers,” said Gov. Lee. “Every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, and in the month of March, we’re celebrating our continued commitment to literacy and ensuring that every child can reach their full potential.”

Lee’s FY27 budget proposal includes more than $339 million in state funding to strengthen education in Tennessee’s public schools, including further investment in the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula funding, summer literacy programs to provide students with multiple pathways to becoming a strong reader, and raising starting teacher pay to $50,000.

Tennessee’s literacy rates continue to make historic strides statewide because of the strategic investments made by Gov. Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, including the passage of the Tennessee Literacy Success Act in 2021, which passed with broad bipartisan support and has been pivotal in providing resources to teachers and students.

As a result, the 2025 ELA TCAP results demonstrate an historic 41 percent of students are meeting grade level expectations, which is an increase of 2 percent from the previous school year. In addition, the Nation’s Report Card results further support Tennessee’s gains, with student proficiency ranking in the top 20 states nationwide in both 4th and 8th grade reading.