Arizona foundations, United Ways unite on reading initiative
This is a guest post from Karen Ortiz, vice president of the Helios Education Foundation in Phoenix, Ariz.. This is the first of what we hope will be many submissions by the 124 communities working with us in the Grade-Level Reading Network.
What’s the state of Arizona doing in the All-America City contest? The short answer is: We listened when the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading called for pulling together resources toward a common goal. Foundations across Arizona decided... ...
More »
Promise Neighborhoods: Opportunities and Information
The U.S. Department of Education has announced another round of planning and implementation grants for the Promise Neighborhoods program, an opportunity for our communities to expand their efforts with federal dollars.
Promise Neighborhoods embrace children from birth through college to make sure they succeed. Beyond education, they provide health and social services for chldren and families. In 2010, 21 communities received planning grants, and five of them received implementation grants last year. Another 15 were awarded planning grants in... ...
More »
Philanthropic dollars pouring into third-grade reading
We’re excited to see increased investment in the preK-to-third grade frame as more foundations recognize the importance of the third grade
reading milestone. Some grants represent a continuation of good work, while others are tied directly to the Campaign’s effort to spread the word about
early literacy. Here’s a sampling of grants large and small supporting early reading:
The McKnight Foundation has committed nearly $6 million to two Twin Cities school districts to increase third grade reading proficiency.... ...
More »
Governors, State Lawmakers Focus on Third-Grade Reading
It’s not just cities and communities that have taken up the grade-level reading banner. State policymakers are focusing on the importance
of third grade reading as well. There are bills in half a dozen state legislatures focusing on early literacy.
Some of the legislation calls for holding back struggling readers, an issue documented in this Education Week article and one being closely watched by the Campaign. We can't afford to view this as a simple solution to... ...
More »
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading