Just days after a national report ranked Florida last among participating states in reading performance, United Way Miami is pointing to a path forward that starts in early childhood classrooms.
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The findings, from the Education Recovery Scorecard led by Harvard University and Stanford University researchers, show Florida students experienced the steepest declines in reading achievement nationwide between 2022 and 2025, underscoring the need for stronger early literacy strategies and sustained intervention.
The first five years of life are foundational to human development. Nearly 90 percent of brain development occurs during this period, shaping cognitive ability, emotional health and future academic success.
In Miami-Dade County, United Way Miami supports nearly 9,000 young children each year through early learning programs and trains hundreds of educators to improve instruction and family engagement, helping children build the skills needed to move from learning to read to reading to learn. Since 2007, the Center for Excellence in Early Education has reached 80,000 children and families by promoting research-based practices that prepare children for school.
Florida’s ranking highlights the challenges facing many students and reinforces the importance of starting early. That focus was evident at the center’s inaugural conference aligned with the theme “Quality by Design: Intentional Practice Across the Early Years.”
More than 200 early childhood educators and administrators attended the recent one-day event, which featured bilingual breakout sessions and workshops aimed at improving classroom instruction, strengthening family engagement and addressing learning gaps.
“Florida’s ranking is a wakeup call, but it is also a call to action,” said Symeria Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami. “This conference shows that Miami can lead by investing intentionally at the earliest stages. When we support educators, we improve literacy, support families and create pathways to opportunity.”
As Miami-Dade County faces widening achievement gaps and workforce challenges, the conference reinforced the connection between early childhood education, academic success and economic mobility.
Beyond training, the conference included moments that highlighted the importance of trust and connection in early education.
Sylvia Hubbard, a national Head Start reviewer, shared her story as a young mother in Detroit who initially distrusted the system after learning her children qualified for a United Way-supported Head Start program. She later accepted the support that changed the trajectory of her family and career.
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Today, Hubbard works with families facing similar barriers. Her story drew an emotional response from attendees, including Ana Perez, who reflected on what she sees daily – families who are frustrated, exhausted and unsure where to turn.
The conference also featured keynote speaker Justin Tutt, an award-winning youth development expert known as “The Man in the Black Chucks.” Tutt focused on mindset, resilience and purpose, emphasizing that educators must invest in themselves to effectively support children.
Through storytelling and interactive exercises, he encouraged participants to challenge negative self-talk, practice self-care and adopt habits that support personal well-being and professional effectiveness.
His message resonated with educators navigating burnout, workforce shortages and increasing demands. Angel James, a participant, said United Way Miami’s training helped her better support her child with autism and inspired her to pursue a career working with children with special needs.
United Way Miami leaders say lasting progress will require sustained investment in educators and families. By expanding access to high-quality early learning and scaling its model, the organization aims to strengthen literacy outcomes and support long-term economic opportunities across the region.
For more information about United Way Miami, visit unitedwaymiami.org.
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