Expand Programs for Kids who are not Reading at Grade Level
Return to Zoom Map -- Increase Positive Experiences in the Early Years
Children who are not reading at grade level are likey to have great difficulty in school, which will contribute to numerous other challenges. [Get stats and reference]. Closing the reading gap is an important strategy to improve the positive development of children and reduce their toxic stress and negative experiences in school and life. This would ideally start well before a child enters school, but it can also be addressed by focused interventions for children who are behind in kindergarten through third grade.
Contents
Background
It is often said that children learn to read in the first three grades, and then then read to learn. When children are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade, they are at a significant disadvantage for the rest of their education. They are at greater risk of dropping out of school [get stat and reference] and are at greater risk of spending time in prison [get stat and reference]. The gaps in 3rd grade reading proficiency between white students and students of color is especially troubling.
Tools and Resources
This podcast from January 2021 shares important insight on the reading gap and how to close it. It is an interview with Alex Quigley, an English teacher and Director of Research School at Huntington School. He is the author of 'The Confident Teacher' and 'Teach Now! English', both published by Routledge. He blogs regularly at www.theconfidentteacher.com
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Promising Practices and Case Studies
Examples from communities that have implemented tools focused on this objective
Scorecard Building
Actions to Take
Actions for Coalitions
Actions for Individuals
