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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July 23, 2026
New Hires Expand the Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Expertise in Charitable Giving and Engagement
July 20, 2026
Panther Prep College Bridge Program Renewed for Summer 2026
July 15, 2026
Building Bridges Through the Arts: CreArte Latino Awarded $20,000 Community Impact Grant
July 14, 2026
Margaret Karakashian
July 13, 2026
PHSC Foundation Receives $35,000 Grant to Support Student Scholarships
July 8, 2026
Michelle Maslowski
July 8, 2026
Suncoast Humane Society Gets $4,000 Donation From Community Foundation of Sarasota County
July 6, 2026
America at 250: Let's Build the Future We Want, Together
July 2, 2026
UnidosNow's Empowered Parents Program Expands With Support From Community Foundation of Sarasota County
July 1, 2026