The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released a report, “Early Reading Proficiency in the United States.” According to The Dodge City Daily Globe a majority of Kansas children are not reading proficiently by fourth grade.
“When a child isn't reading proficiently, that has negative implications for academic achievement and job readiness, as well as the economic security of future generations of Kansans,” said Shannon Cotsoradis, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children, in a news release.
Here’s how the region scored:
Colorado
- Below basic: 26%
- At or above basic: 74%
- Below proficient: 59%
- At or above proficient: 41%
Kansas
- Below basic: 29%
- At or above basic: 71%
- Below proficient: 62%
- At or above proficient: 38%
Nebraska
- Below basic: 29%
- At or above basic: 71%
- Below proficient: 63%
- At or above proficient: 37%
Texas
- Below basic: 37%
- At or above basic: 63%
- Below proficient: 72%
- At or above proficient: 28%
The report also indicated a disparity between children from higher and lower-income families. 78 percent of lower-income children were reported as not reading at proficiency, compared with 46 percent of higher-income children.
Two earlier reports from the Casey Foundation indicated that children who read proficiently by the end of third grade are less likely to become poor, more likely to graduate from high school and more likely to find a job that can support their families.
Complete results from the Annie E Casey Foundation can be found here.
