Being able to read and write makes it easier to have: ** economic security ** access to health care ** the ability to actively participate in civic life
But in the United States, 14% of the population, or 32 million adults, cannot read 21% of adults read below the 5th grade level 19% of high school graduates cannot read according to U.S. Dept. of Education & National Institute of Literacy studies, 2014
Why is this important?
** 85% of all juveniles involved in the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate ** 70% of inmates in America’s prisons cannot read above a 4th grade level according to BeginToRead.com
In Idaho, 11% of the population is considered to be illiterate Cassia County: 14.7% Minidoka County : 19.1% Jerome County: 15.7% according to County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2012
Less than 54% of Idaho’s children were at grade level upon entering kindergarten in the fall of 2014. according to Idaho Reading Indicator data from the Idaho Dept. of Education, 2014
Only 34% of Idaho’s 3-4 year olds are enrolled in any kind of preschool, compared to almost 48% nationally. Jerome County: 30.7% Cassia County: 28.1% Minidoka County: 17.1% according to Idaho Kids Count data from April, 2015
Why is this important?
Studies show that children who have access to early learning **take pride in their education **have an increased sense of self-confidence, and **demonstrate less aggressive behavior
And all of this leads to **higher graduation rates **fewer teen pregnancies **decreased levels of drug use **decreased crimes among young adults
Children need to read on grade level by the end of 3rd grade because third grade is where students transition from learning to read, to reading to learn.
In Idaho, only 63% of students read at or above grade level by the end of their 3rd grade year. Another 22% are almost at grade level. according to Kids Count Data Center, 2014
As an outreach to help preschoolers attain skills needed for success in kindergarten, Calvary Jerome and St. Matthew’s Rupert have adopted a 6-week Kindergarten Readiness Program patterned after one begun by the Rev. Karen Hunter in Nampa.
The IEF provided start-up funds for the programs during the summer of 2013. Since that time, the programs have been funded by Central Deanery outreach funds and have been supported by the parishes.