Vision
All students complete third grade in Kenosha County reading at grade level.
The Need
Third-grade reading proficiency is the most important predictor of high school graduation and career success. Through third grade, children are learning the basic foundations of reading. It's after this point that students need to use these reading foundations to understand increasingly complex material.
These disparities noted in literacy by third grade are linked to persistent gaps later in life. Ensuring early-grade reading proficiency ensures the future success of our community, as our children will be prepared to enter the military or the workforce, go on to achieve postsecondary credentials, and compete in the global economy.
These disparities noted in literacy by third grade are linked to persistent gaps later in life. Ensuring early-grade reading proficiency ensures the future success of our community, as our children will be prepared to enter the military or the workforce, go on to achieve postsecondary credentials, and compete in the global economy.
Literacy Survey: Understanding Community Needs
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In May 2024, the Literacy Steering Committee launched a survey targeting caregivers of children ages 0-8 to gauge local trends in literacy attitudes, home practices, and potential opportunities to positively influence early-grade reading on broader scale.
The committee's goal was to survey 10% of households with children under the age of 9, or 670 of the estimated 6,700 households in Kenosha County. Ultimately, 401 surveys were completed, representing 690 children. While the survey did not meet its original target, it still gathered a significant, diverse sample that reflects the evolving demographic of our community. |
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The survey data revealed key insights, such as a correlation between parent's confidence in supporting reading and their children's reading habits. This will help us develop initiatives to empower parents and foster a love of reading in children. Our work is just beginnings, and we're committed to using this data to create impactful literacy programs for Kenosha families," - Jackie Easley, Professor of Education, Co-Director of the Teaching Commons, Literacy Program Director, Carthage College
Expanding Access to Early Literacy Support in Kenosha
Bringing Reading Corps to Kenosha: A BOF-Led Initiative
Building Our Future (BOF) played a pivotal role in bringing the nationally recognized Reading Corps program to Kenosha, helping launch its initial implementation in local schools and continuing to support its growth.
The program began in the 2021–2022 school year, placing trained literacy tutors in elementary schools to work one-on-one with students. During its first year, four tutors served at Brass Community School and Wilson Elementary, delivering over 3,400 tutoring sessions to 54 K–3 students. The results were powerful: more than 60% of students exceeded their expected reading growth.
Today, Reading Corps is active in:
The program began in the 2021–2022 school year, placing trained literacy tutors in elementary schools to work one-on-one with students. During its first year, four tutors served at Brass Community School and Wilson Elementary, delivering over 3,400 tutoring sessions to 54 K–3 students. The results were powerful: more than 60% of students exceeded their expected reading growth.
Today, Reading Corps is active in:
- Somers Elementary School
- Grewenow Elementary School
We LOVE the Reading Corps program and the two tutors we have at Wilson. The program is extremely well designed, implemented, and monitored for high quality and impact. The 20 students we have receiving the support are showing gains at a rapid pace and look forward to their daily sessions with their tutors."
- Rhonda Lopez, Principal, Wilson Elementary
Readers are Leaders: Mobilizing the Community for Student Success
Readers are Leaders is a community-powered tutoring program that connects volunteers with K–3 students to build foundational reading skills and confidence.
Launched as a pilot in 2014, the program expanded with support from Building Our Future (BOF), United Way of Kenosha County, and Kenosha Unified School District. In 2021–2022, BOF helped relaunch the program in new schools, continuing to support students at risk of falling behind.
Now in its ninth year, the program engages 100+ volunteer tutors across multiple schools, providing students with consistent, personalized support.
Impact by the Numbers:
Launched as a pilot in 2014, the program expanded with support from Building Our Future (BOF), United Way of Kenosha County, and Kenosha Unified School District. In 2021–2022, BOF helped relaunch the program in new schools, continuing to support students at risk of falling behind.
Now in its ninth year, the program engages 100+ volunteer tutors across multiple schools, providing students with consistent, personalized support.
Impact by the Numbers:
- 8,500+ volunteer hours since inception
- 100+ tutors expected this year
- Serving K–3 students across Kenosha Unified schools
For more data and analysis, visit https://www.buildingourfuturekc.org/school-success1.html
