Providence Proposal to Improve Third Grade Reading Named Finalist for National Award

An ambitious plan to ensure that more Providence children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade has been chosen as a finalist for the All-America City Award, sponsored annually by the National Civic League.

The plan was submitted by the Providence Children and Youth Cabinet, a cross-sector collaborative of public, private, and nonprofit leadership all focused on improving outcomes for all of Providence's children convened by Mayor Angel Taveras. Providence is one of 32 finalists selected through a peer review process from a field of more than 100 entries across the country.

Beyond the award contest, Providence's plan makes the city a charter member in a national movement of local leaders, nonprofits and foundations putting a stake in the ground on third-grade reading. Third grade marks the point when children shift from learning to read and begin reading to learn. Students who haven't mastered reading by then are more likely to get stuck in a cycle of academic failure, drop out of school, and struggle throughout their lives.

"Early childhood literacy is an important factor to the social and economic wellbeing of Providence," said Mayor Taveras. "It is a priority of my administration to improve reading levels at critical points so that students have the tools they need to excel in our knowledge-based economy."

Providence aims to have 70 percent of third graders reading proficiently by 2020. The city has outlined a number of programs to achieve this goal. To boost school readiness, CYC partners will boost communication between Head Start programs and kindergarten teachers, so that kindergarten teachers understand more about their students before they come to class. An evidence-based Response to Intervention program, currently being implemented across the school district, will provide students with tiered supports for reading depending on their skill level.

As a charter member of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Community Network, Providence will have access to a Promising Practices Clearinghouse, an online help desk, peer-learning opportunities, meetings with national experts and policymakers, and a foundation registry designed to expand and replicate successful programs.

The National Civic League will name 10 to 15 All-America City awardees in July. For more than 60 years, the award has recognized cities and counties that work collaboratively to address challenges in their communities.