How higher expectations can drive student achievement in Rochester

September is National Literacy Month, a time to reflect on the state of literacy across the United States. Here in Rochester, New York, the statistics are deeply concerning. According to recent data, only 11.4% of third-grade students in the Rochester City School District are reading at grade level. This is an urgent crisis that demands our attention. We often hear explanations for low academic performance in Rochester’s schools that point to poverty.