Vision
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.
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.
Bright Spots

READERS ARE LEADERS (RAL)
In 2017, Building Our Future began partnering with United Way of Kenosha County to expand the McKinley Tutoring Program, now known as Readers are Leaders, to three more schools: Forest Park Elementary, Wilson Elementary, and Brass Community School. The program connects business leaders and community volunteers with kindergarten through third-grade students to provide twice-weekly literacy tutoring, providing the much-needed support and practice for students at risk of falling behind.
In 2017, Building Our Future began partnering with United Way of Kenosha County to expand the McKinley Tutoring Program, now known as Readers are Leaders, to three more schools: Forest Park Elementary, Wilson Elementary, and Brass Community School. The program connects business leaders and community volunteers with kindergarten through third-grade students to provide twice-weekly literacy tutoring, providing the much-needed support and practice for students at risk of falling behind.

BOOKMOBILE
In 2018, the Kenosha Public Library received funding to purchase a second Bookmobile. Through the work of the Early Grade Reading Network and the heightened focus on Lincoln Park, the Library will be using neighborhood-level data to determine the best route to accomplish their goal of closing equity gaps. The Library is aligning its work with current community efforts in order to serve neighborhoods and individuals who most need access to
library resources.
In 2018, the Kenosha Public Library received funding to purchase a second Bookmobile. Through the work of the Early Grade Reading Network and the heightened focus on Lincoln Park, the Library will be using neighborhood-level data to determine the best route to accomplish their goal of closing equity gaps. The Library is aligning its work with current community efforts in order to serve neighborhoods and individuals who most need access to
library resources.
Our partnership with Building Our Future allows us to address our mission of providing excellent, challenging learning opportunities and experiences that prepare each student for success on an even larger scale. We are coming together with a common cause and passion for connecting our school communities with key sectors in the area in order to prepare future generations for success.
Dr. Sue Savaglio-Jarvis,
Superintendent of Schools, Kenosha Unified School District
Building Our Future has opened my eyes to look at our community from a big-picture vantage point. Their work to connect the individual efforts of local and national organizations to collectively contribute to the mission to see the kids of our community thrive and grow into the best versions of themselves has limitless potential.
Michelle Marschel,
Salem School District Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
For more data and analysis, visit https://www.buildingourfuturekc.org/school-success1.html