Prepared for school, prepared for life.

Why it matters

Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is one of the key predictors of high school graduation.

However, 41% of third-graders across all four Jackson County school districts do not meet this benchmark, and children from low-income families are even further behind. (Nearly 48% of Jackson County students are considered low-income, as they qualify for free and reduced price lunch).

Many children who fall behind in school lack access to supports that would enable them to increase their academic success, preparing them for college, careers and active citizenship.

Our unique role

Hosted by the Community Foundation of Jackson County, the Campaign builds on the organization’s strengths: Forging relationships and convening community partners to transform the systems that serve people.

We facilitate a multi-sector network to share resources and chart a course to help children succeed. Together, we:

• Build community awareness of children’s academic and social-emotional needs.

• Provide a unified vision and strategy to improve academic success and child well-being inside and outside the classroom.

• Fund child- and family-focused initiatives by utilizing existing financial resources and offering a way for generous community members to give in support of children’s well-being.

• Collect local data to inform our work.

How it works

Our work is informed by the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and focuses on four areas that serve as the foundation of academic achievement:

• School attendance

• Reading readiness

• Summer learning

• Access to books

By analyzing local data, our network of partners can identify the needs of children and families and develop a plan and goals to address them.