Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) launched his “Read to Succeed” education initiative to help Florida children read at grade level by third grade while speaking at a campaign stop in Jacksonville over the weekend.
"When children learn to read by third grade, you've opened every door ahead of them. When they fall behind, those doors of opportunity are closed," Donalds said in a statement. "Florida is choosing to open doors for every child, in every classroom, in every county.”
According to the Donalds campaign, "Read to Succeed" would do the following:
- Provide local school districts with science-of-reading-based teacher training programs through state colleges and universities.
- Create K–2 early reading indicators to help identify students struggling with reading comprehension before they fall behind in their education.
- Extra tutoring resources for third graders.
- Establish a “Read to Succeed Award” recognizing teachers for exceptional or innovative instruction to improving student literacy.
In addition, Rep. Donalds pledged seeking Title fund waivers from the U.S. Department of Education to divert funds to established literacy programs and to create district-level funding incentives connected to reading improvement, including rewarding successful districts for their work beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
“This is not a new mandate,” Donalds said. “This is about empowering parents and teachers with the tools, technology, and tutoring to make sure every child in Florida can Read to Succeed.”
According to data from the campaign's release, 44% of Florida fourth graders can't read at grade level and are four times more likely to drop out of school. It also noted Florida ranked 45th across the United States in reading recovery.
Rep. Donalds is in a Republican primary with Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback.
The primary is Aug. 18. According to recent polling, Donalds holds a large lead for the nomination.
