New York, NY | September 24, 2025 – The country’s #1 morning show, Good Morning America, visited Write on Sports (WoS) summer programs this July to highlight the organization’s efforts to improve writing skills amongst middle-schoolers in under-resourced communities.
The feature, which aired on August 18, dives into current statistics around youth literacy and how Write on Sports is employing interest-based programs to combat the decline.
Reading Proficiency Remains a Challenge—Especially in Underserved Communities
According to nationsreportcard.gov, only 32% of fourth-graders are reading at or above grade level. That number drops even further by eighth grade, when only 29% of students are proficient. The problem is exacerbated for institutions in underserved communities, where resources are few and are decreasing due to economic fluctuations and government funding reductions.
WoS focuses on this critical intellectual development period and aims to engage students in subjects already of interest to them, specifically sports and the arts. The programs, with intentionally low student-to-teacher ratios, expose students to professional journalists and athletes, teach them interview and exposition techniques, and allow them to present their stories in whichever mediums they find most exciting, from written features to podcasts. The strategy – meeting students where they are – has resulted in 93.2% of students showing improvement in writing skills this summer alone.
“WoS really helped my ability to express myself through writing” shared Edgar, WoS Denver student.
The full GMA piece, which includes interviews with students and alumni, can be found below and on writeonsports.org.
About Write on Sports
Write on Sports (WoS) is a passionate non-profit literacy initiative aimed at inspiring students from under-resourced communities to strengthen their writing skills, critical thinking, and self-confidence through subjects that ignite their enthusiasm: sports and the arts. We broaden our definition of sports to encompass not just the games kids play and watch, but also how sports intersect with fashion, music, and important social issues. In 2024, we launched Write on Arts, which invites students to explore the visual and performing arts, further enriching their skill sets. Both programs focus on personalizing instruction to align with students’ interests and abilities, ensuring that every participant benefits and grows as a writer and learner.
Based in New Jersey, this 501(c)(3) organization will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in 2025, having positively impacted the lives of over 3,000 children through summer camps, workshops, and after-school programs across the country. We’ve reached kids in counties including Bergen, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, and Union, along with expanding our chapter programs into California, Colorado, Indiana, and Rhode Island.
Founded in 2005 by Byron Yake, a former Associated Press sportswriter and national sports editor, WoS employs a unique curriculum that emphasizes the fundamentals of writing, public speaking, video production, and interactive media. Our mission is to be a community leader, collaborating closely with reputable educational institutions such as Montclair State University, Monmouth University, Seton Hall University, and Kean University in New Jersey; Bryant University and Providence College in Rhode Island; Metropolitan State University in Colorado; Goshen College in Indiana, and Berkeley United School District in California. We also partner with renowned public sports and entertainment venues like The Yogi Berra Museum and The Prudential Center, enriching our programs and providing unforgettable experiences, and more importantly, opportunities for our students.
To donate or for more information about Write on Sports, visit writeonsports.org, follow @WriteonSports and join the community conversation at Facebook.com/WriteonSports.
For media inquiries, please contact media@writeonsports.org