National Governors Association Pushes for Third-Grade Reading Proficiency
November 25, 2013 by Alyssa Haywoode
Photo: Alessandra Hartkopf for Strategies for Children
“The time is now to redesign this country’s approach to language and literacy instruction, and governors who choose to can lead the charge,” according to the National Governors Association (NGA) report, “A Governor’s Guide to Early Literacy: Getting all Students Reading by Third Grade.”
Acknowledging the fact that only one-third of America’s fourth graders are reading proficiently, the report points out that America’s governors can help address this challenge. They can build a bridge between knowledge and action, connecting what researchers know to what policymakers do.
What the Research Says
To provide the research background on the literacy issue, the report points to three widely accepted research findings:
1. “Starting at kindergarten is too late.” Because literacy skills start developing at birth and because achievement gaps show up early, infants, toddlers and preschoolers need effective, high-quality early education and care programsthat introduce early literacy concepts.
2. “Reading proficiency requires three sets of interrelated skills and knowledge that are taught and cultivated over time.” The three sets are:
2. “Reading proficiency requires three sets of interrelated skills and knowledge that are taught and cultivated over time.” The three sets are:
- language and communication skills
- mechanics of reading – such as matching letters to sounds
