The Challenge
Reading proficiency by third grade is a crucial predictor of high school graduation and career success
Reading proficiency by third grade is a crucial predictor of high school graduation and career success; yet, only 70% of Sarasota County’s third graders are reading at grade-level. Nationally, about 67% percent of children, more than 80% from vulnerable families, are not proficient readers by the end of third grade.
Left unchecked, these challenges undermine efforts to end intergenerational poverty, close the achievement gap, and reduce high school dropout rates across our communities.
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading arose as a call to action to reverse these trends and mobilize communities at the federal, state, and local levels to expand opportunities and remove barriers that impact a child’s ability to succeed academically. The Campaign recognizes that effective collaboration among individuals, nonprofits, government agencies, and local foundations is critical for achieving and sustaining gains in grade-level reading proficiency.
Reading proficiency by third grade is a crucial predictor of high school graduation and career success; yet, only 70% of Sarasota County’s third graders are reading at grade-level. Nationally, about 67% percent of children, more than 80% from vulnerable families, are not proficient readers by the end of third grade.
Left unchecked, these challenges undermine efforts to end intergenerational poverty, close the achievement gap, and reduce high school dropout rates across our communities.
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading arose as a call to action to reverse these trends and mobilize communities at the federal, state, and local levels to expand opportunities and remove barriers that impact a child’s ability to succeed academically. The Campaign recognizes that effective collaboration among individuals, nonprofits, government agencies, and local foundations is critical for achieving and sustaining gains in grade-level reading proficiency.
Reading proficiency by third grade is a crucial predictor of high school graduation and career success
Our Role in the Solution
In 2014, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County prepared the Community Solutions Action Plan for Sarasota and was accepted into the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.
Our work incorporates a two-generation approach, working with both low-income children and their parents simultaneously to ensure families have the necessary support to be successful. We focus on the attendance zones for four Title 1 schools with students who are the most challenged by achieving reading success—Alta Vista Elementary School, Emma E. Booker Elementary School, Gocio Elementary School, and Tuttle Elementary School – with a concentrated effort to combat summer learning loss.
Summer Learning Academies
Discover how Summer Learning Academies help not only prevent summer learning loss, but also close the achievement gap.
Summer Learning Academies
Discover how Summer Learning Academies help not only prevent summer learning loss, but also close the achievement gap.
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October 20, 2026
Community Foundation of Sarasota County Commits $400,000 to Resilient Shoreline Effort
October 14, 2026
2026 Year-End Giving Dates to Remember
October 5, 2026
What We Save Now, We Keep Forever
October 1, 2026
Dragonfly Mental Health Awarded $7,500 Grant From the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to Support Strategic Planning Initiative
September 29, 2026
Art Center Sarasota Expands 2026-27 Season With Free Family Programs, New Exhibitions and Evening Events
September 25, 2026
Understanding Florida Amendment 3: Proposed Property Tax Changes and Local Impacts
September 24, 2026
New Rules Created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act May Affect Your Year-End Charitable Planning
September 24, 2026
Sarasota Orchestra Receives Strategic Partnership Grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County
September 22, 2026
Embracing Our Differences Receives Strategic Partnership Grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County
September 20, 2026