Title:
Read Charlotte
Summary
ACTION:
Receive a presentation from Munro Richardson, Read Charlotte Executive Director, highlighting its progress towards improving children's literacy from birth to third grade
Staff Contact: Michael A. Bryant, Management & Budget Director
Presentation: Yes
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Read Charlotte is a community initiative that unites families, educators and community partners to improve children’s literacy from birth to third grade with a goal of doubling reading proficiency from 39% to 80%. Reading proficiency at third grade is a critical predictor of school, career and life success. Children who are not reading at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
Read Charlotte does not operate programs. The organization uses research, data, funding and policy to integrate, coordinate and align the work of organizations across Charlotte-Mecklenburg to better serve children and families in our community. Read Charlotte shares a part in providing all children across our community a fair chance to learn to read well by third grade.
As part of the FY2016 Adopted Budget, the Board approved $500,000 in funding to support Read Charlotte. The funding will be allocated in increments of $100,000 over a consecutive 5 year period.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A