Idaho is dedicated to having a strong educational system that will prepare our children for successful futures, ensure economic opportunities come to Idaho, and keep our communities safe.

Unfortunately, only 33% of Idaho's fourth-graders are reading proficiently, according to the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress. Children who are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade often fall further behind and may never catch up.

Idaho KIDS COUNT and Idaho Voices for Children, with support from the Boise State Family Studies Initiative and many other partners, invite you to a Policy Forum to discuss the evidence around third grade reading proficiency and explore ways to improve reading skills for Idaho's children.

Policy Forum Agenda

8:30 - 9:00     Registration and Breakfast 

9:00 - 10:20   Plenary Sessions

• Why Third Grade Reading Matters - LeAnn Simmons, Idaho Voices for Children
• How Do We Get There? Stories of Inspiration - Melissa Langan, Van Buren Elementary
  
• Reading for Safe Communities - Brent Reinke, Idaho Department of Corrections

10:30 - 12:00 Panel Discussion facilitated by Roger Quarles, BSU Asst. Professor in Educational Leadership

• Summer learning loss - Don Coberly, Boise School District
  
• Access to early education - Larraine Clayton, Early Childhood Coordinating Council
  
• High quality instruction - Susan Williamson, Taft Elementary
• Chronic absenteeism - Hon. John Varin
  

12:15 - 1:15  Group Discussions and Lunch with the Speakers

This agenda is subject to change and will be updated as speakers are confirmed. For more information on reading proficiency, visit www.idahokidscount.org or read our report, Third Grade Reading: Why reading at grade level matters.

Note: By registering for this event, you will be automatically subscribed to the Idaho KIDS COUNT email list. If you would like to opt out of future Idaho KIDS COUNT emails, contact sherring@mtnstatesgroup.org.