Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Chattooga County on Thursday to present the Literacy Leaders award to third-grade students and teachers at two Chattooga County elementary schools.

The Literacy Leaders award recognizes schools that have 90% or more of their third-grade students reading at or above grade level and those that show a 15% or more increase in literacy scores. “The ability to read opens up the doors not only to the rest of a student’s education, but to their ability to continue learning throughout their life,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “That’s why we are laser-focused on literacy at the Georgia Department of Education and as a state. These schools — our Literacy Leaders — are doing exceptional work to ensure every student is equipped with the lifelong skill of literacy, and it’s an honor to recognize them.”

The awards were presented at Lyerly Elementary School and Leroy Massey Elementary School in Chattooga County.

Over the last decade, the Georgia Department of Education has established literacy as a core component of the agency’s mission, dedicating extensive efforts and resources to the improvement of literacy instruction and attainment.