schools
Inside Fort Worth’s push to find children with dyslexia as city tackles literacy crisis
By Jacob Sanchez at Fort Worth Report
· June 18, 2026
· 5 min read
Alyssa was midway through a passage about the seasons changing when the timer cut her off. Sixty seconds. That’s all the time the second grader had to finish. Teacher Jean Tocco marked Alyssa’s stopping point on an assessment sheet to determine the number of words she can read per minute. Tocco also
Key takeaway Teacher Jean Tocco marked Alyssa’s stopping point on an assessment sheet to determine the number of words she can read per minute.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The Literacy Roundup initiative is a crucial step in addressing Fort Worth 's literacy crisis, which affects nearly 60% of students across the city. With proficiency rates ranging from 27% in Lake Worth ISD to 63% in Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, it's clear that a citywide effort is needed to support the Fort Worth ISD and neighboring districts. The program's goal of screening 1,000 students for dyslexia and other reading difficulties is ambitious, but necessary, given the significant impact that literacy skills have on a child's educational trajectory and future opportunities. As the city moves forward with this initiative, it will be important to track the outcomes of the Literacy Roundup program and ensure that it is effectively identifying and supporting students with reading difficulties, particularly in districts with lower proficiency rates. This effort could have a lasting impact on the educational landscape of Fort Worth.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Fort Worth Report . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: June 18, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Alyssa was midway through a passage about the seasons changing when the timer cut her off. Sixty seconds. That’s all the time the second grader had to finish. Teacher Jean Tocco marked Alyssa’s stopping point on an assessment sheet to determine the number of words she can read per minute. Tocco also
When was this published? This article was first published on June 18, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jacob Sanchez at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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