Workgroup Leaders:

Greg Davis, Community Leader
Kerry Zack, Facilitator
Lisa Deffendall, Project Coordinator
Darla Simms, Staff Leader

Why Consider Literacy?

• Early childhood language and literacy experiences are the foundation upon which reading, writing and oral language proficiency develop.
• Students who are not proficient readers by the end of third grade are more likely to have lower self-confidence, be retained in subsequent grade levels or drop out of school.
• No single program or method of instruction can successfully teach all children to read. Teachers must understand how children develop into mature readers in order to create a balanced reading curriculum that supports the development of reading proficiency.
• Advanced levels of thought, comprehension and effective written and oral communication are expectations set by state assessments, postsecondary educational institutions and the workplace.