“Learning to Read” to “Reading to Learn”
Fourth grade marks a pivotal time in children’s development when they transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” If a student is not reading at grade level, they can fall behind. Students who are reading on grade level by fourth grade are four times more likely to graduate high school.
Currently in our community, only three in 10 children from families with low income are reading on grade level by the fourth grade — compared to six in 10 children from families with moderate to high income.
By increasing access to quality out-of-school learning opportunities, culturally relevant books, and building a community culture of reading, we can move the needle on grade-level reading rates in our community and create greater opportunity for local children and families.