We asked each of our five founding partners to write a guest post describing how they support our goal of improving third grade reading rates. David Kass, president of the Council for a Strong America, describes how “unexpected messengers” are spreading the word about this critical milestone.

A big city police chief….

The former CEO of a Fortune 500 company….

A four-star general….

The pastor of a megachurch….

An Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater….

What do these leaders have in common? When they speak, people listen. They command the respect and attention of an array of audiences across the political aisle and throughout the country.

Now imagine each of these uncommon and diverse individuals, all using their unique experience and stature in society to speak out on behalf of young children, to promote high quality early education and research-based programs that research shows help children read proficiently by the end of third grade.

You’d listen to that.

In the increasingly polarized political climate in Washington and state capitals, where even established investments in young children face the constant threat of elimination, we need agreement on how to increase investments to improve outcomes for future generations of Americans.

The Council for a Strong America mobilizes a group of “unexpected messengers” who are committed to creating a safer, more secure, and competitive nation, by ensuring that all children are prepared for success in school and in life.

Our members understand the consequences of 66 percent of children failing to read proficiently by the end of third grade—74 percent of these children never catch up. We work with allies to help build the public awareness and political capital to secure the investments that evidence shows will prepare children for a brighter future.

For instance, last year in Mississippi, our law enforcement leaders, retired admirals and generals, and pastors projected their voices— at press events, in op-eds and letters to the editor, in sign-on letters, phone calls, and meetings directly with policy-makers – to build support for an historic victory: creating the state’s first state-funded pre-k program in the Mississippi’s history. The state now has $6 million for new funding for early education—a vital step toward making sure that more young children are prepared for kindergarten and on a path to read at the grade level by the end of third grade.

Our law enforcement leaders, pastors, business leaders, retired admirals and generals, and athletes and coaches know this for sure: more kids reading proficiently by the end of third grade will lead to safer communities, stronger families, a more competitive economy, a more secure nation, and a healthier population.

To learn more, visit: www.councilforastrongamerica.org

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