We ask our children, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" We tell them the sky's the limit. They can be an engineer, doctor, teacher or even president of the United States.
At the time, it may seem like a far-off goal. But what we often forget is today's students are tomorrow's work force and the key to Arkansas' economic future. And what we do now to ensure they are able to read, and do so proficiently, will determine whether or not they are able to gain the skills they need to excel in higher education and their careers.
As Gov. Asa Hutchinson recently noted, "Reading and literacy skills are vital for success in the classroom and life in general." Yet, far too often, our state's students are falling behind when it comes to reading.
According to the Arkansas Department of Education, 39 percent of Arkansas' graduating seniors met reading readiness benchmarks on the ACT in 2015. That same year, only 31 percent of fourth-grade students and 27 percent of eighth-grade students were proficient in reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress--ranking Arkansas in the lower third of states in the nation.
Recognizing the opportunity to better prepare our students for the future, Governor Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Education established the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence (RISE). The mission: to significantly increase student achievement in reading.
Specifically, the statewide initiative laid out three goals. First, increase the number of students in grades 3-8 who meet the ACT Aspire reading readiness benchmark by 10 percent within three years. Second, rise above the bottom third in state comparisons on the fourth-grade National Assessment of Educational Progress reading assessment within five years. And finally, increase the number of Arkansas graduates meeting the ACT reading readiness benchmark by 10 percent within five years.
Since launching in January, RISE has partnered with more than 350 schools across the state to create a culture of reading, educate parents, and increase children's access to books at school and home. To further its impact, it created RISE Academies to provide additional instruction and training to kindergarten through second-grade teachers in the areas of phonic and phonological awareness. Soon, RISE Academies will expand to educators in grades 3-12, as well as administrators, to strengthen core reading instruction for Arkansas students at all levels.
Like Governor Hutchinson, the Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading has long recognized and stressed the importance of literacy.
Since 2011, we've partnered with more than 50 communities and school districts to help prepare children for kindergarten, improve the quality of classroom instruction, reduce chronic absenteeism, and stem summer learning loss. We've made it our priority to ensure that all children are able to read on grade level by the end of the third grade. Why? Because studies show third grade is the point where children shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn."
If children aren't reading proficiently by third grade, they risk falling behind or, later on, dropping out of school entirely.
The Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading applauds Governor Hutchinson's efforts to move the needle on early literacy. Through innovative initiatives like RISE, he has helped lay the foundation for every Arkansas student to become a proficient reader.
As a state, we must continue to invest in reading so all children have the skills they need to succeed in higher education, career and life. Together, we can ensure our future as a stronger and more prosperous Arkansas.
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Angela Duran is the campaign director for the Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Heather Larkin is president and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation.
Editorial on 11/30/2017