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Presenter warns half of third-graders lag in reading, pushes targeted literacy reforms
Summary
In a statewide address, the presenter said nearly half of third-graders are not reading at grade level and urged individualized support and legislative reforms, crediting two lawmakers leading the effort.
The Presenter told the legislative chamber that literacy is foundational to civic life and warned: "Nearly 0.5 of our 3rd graders are not reading a grade level, and too many of those children never catch up." He framed reading as essential to reasoning and participation in self-government and called for individualized support for struggling readers.
The speaker said literacy is a policy choice requiring families, schools and the state to work together and described it as "moral infrastructure." He thanked Senator Ann Milner and Representative Karen Peterson for taking the lead on proposed reforms and urged lawmakers to act early in the session to improve early-reading outcomes.
