Literacy Funders Gather Last Week, Network Invited to April Event
Last week, the Literacy Funders Network gathered in Pittsburgh, and grade-level reading was high on the agenda. Foundations from a number of the Grade-Level Reading Communities Network sites attended, as did national partners such as the United Way, the National Center for Family Literacy and Literacy Powerline.  The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation presented its report connecting dyslexia and grade-level reading. ad one of our members, And Doro Bush Koch from the Barbara Bush Foundation on... ... More »

Connecticut, Massachusetts Named State Pacesetters
Massachusetts and Connecticut have been recognized as State Pacesetters for their leadership in addressing the challenges that keep many low-income students from learning to read proficiently. Campaign Managing Director Ralph Smith was in Boston this week to deliver the Pacesetter certificate to state officials, legislative leaders and key advocates and visit with the five Massachusetts cities involved in the Grade-Level Reading Communities Network: Boston, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Springfield and Worcester.  The Eye on Early Education blog captured... ... More »

Dyslexia and the Quest for Grade-Level Reading
Our efforts to ensure that more students read proficiently by the end of third grade will not succeed unless our schools find an effective way to teach the 2.4 million students with learning disabilities, according to a report released today by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation and the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. With nearly 5 percent of U.S. students diagnosed with dyslexia or other reading challenges, schools must adopt a comprehensive approach that emphasizes early identification,... ... More »

Op-Ed, MSNBC Broadcast Tout Need to Start Early
Media outlets have begun recognizing the importance of grade-level reading. Education Week published an op-ed today from the Campaign's policy adviser Barbara O'Brien about the need for smart promotion policies that intervene early with struggling readers. MSNBC's Melisaa Harris-Perry presented a segment this weekend featuring the research on third-grade reading, poverty and graduation rates, as well as a panel discussing the issue.  ... More »

California State Superintendent Embraces Call to Action
In a letter to superintendents across California, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson urged school leaders to embrace our Call to Action with Attendance Works. In the Oct. 4 letter, Torlakson wrote: I would like to suggest a way that superintendents can boost student achievement and capture more state dollars for their districts. By tackling the problem of chronic absence in the early grades, we can improve academic success, bolster our struggling schools, and give every... ... More »