There is something special happening here.
Results Matter.
Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing important content from our newly released Promise Partnership Regional Council (PPRC) 2015 Results Report. Nearly one in three of Utah’s children live in the Promise Partnership Region, and Results Matter: The 2016 Results Report of the Promise Partnership Regional Council, describes how we are working together differently so that every child in our region can reach eight crucial milestones. This week, we are focusing on 3rd Grade Reading. 
*You can view the report in its entirety by clicking above.
by Lisa Wisham
21st Century Community Learning Centers
Intergenerational Poverty Interventions
Title 1 Early Childhood Technical Assistance
Utah State Office of Education
The Promise Partnership Regional Council (PPRC) knows that elementary literacy matters. When students read on grade level by the end of third grade they are more likely to stay on track in school. Third grade reading proficiency is also among the strongest predictors of whether a child will graduate from high school and continue on to college. However, at the end of the 2014-2015 school year, only two in three low-income third graders in our region were reading on grade level. We can do better for our students.
Among the many key factors influencing students’ reading proficiency is their access to high-quality summer opportunities. In 2015, our Elementary Reading Network identified and convened high-quality summer learning programs. In the summer of 2016, demonstration sites will work with certified teachers and out-of-school time professionals to provide targeted children with academic support and much needed social, emotional and enrichment activities.
By convening a group of passionate, dedicated individuals to implement a pilot program of high-quality summer programs and utilizing evidence-based reading instruction with the ultimate goal of reducing summer learning loss for Utah elementary students, we are attempting something brand new. According to the National Summer Learning Association, a state-wide multi-agency project of this magnitude is unchartered territory in the summer program arena. Several states have embarked on this type of initiative in isolated regions, but never as a state-wide project involving so many partnering organizations.
The multi-agency 2016 summer initiative is being accomplished through the coordinated and committed efforts of partners in schools and the greater community. It will take place at 5-10 elementary schools along the Wasatch Front that have existing summer programming. The Elementary Reading Network 2016 summer initiative includes out-of-school experts, literacy experts, district employees, and help from the Utah State Office of Education in order to provide literacy and enrichment opportunities for deserving Utah young readers.
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