2017

ALL-AMERICA AWARDS FOR GRADE-LEVEL READING

DENVER, CO JUNE 14-16

nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / a Ad Promoting 2018 AAC .qxp_Layout 1 5/8/17 1:58 PM Page 1

Supporting Inspiration and Innovation to Create Equitable Communities

We celebrate the 2017 recipients of the All-America City Awards and applaud their work to transform Bridging Divides, Building Community. their communities for a brighter, more equitable NCL invites all communities to apply for the 2018 All-America City Award with a spotlight future for all children and families. on Promoting Equity rough Inclusive Civic Engagement Join us in 2018 to strengthen existing community connections, learn from experts and peers For moreon using information, an equity lensplease for communitycontact Sarah governance Lipscomb and at celebrate 303-571-4343. progress towards creating a To learnmore more equitable about country. working with NCL visit our website: www.nationalcivicleague.org e 2018 award spotlight is in connection with WKKF’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation initiative which provides critical resources to help communities examine and wkkf.org improve their equity.

Interested communities email [email protected] 2017 ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD SUPPORTERS 2017 GLR WEEK SUPPORTERS

UNDERWRITING SPONSORS

SPONSORS

Anonymous

R

R ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD A PROGRAM OF NATIONAL CIVIC LEAGUE

National Civic League was founded in 1894 (as the National Municipal League) by civic reformers such as , , Marshall Field and . Its mission was to address the corruption and ineffectiveness of . NCL played a key role in promoting professional city

management and created the ever popular Model City Charter (now in its 8th edition and in continuous use 55 DC for 85 years). For more than 65 years, NCL has connected people to each other and people to their govern- ment. NCL coined the phrase “civic infrastructure” and created the original Civic Index more than 20 years ago. Now, NCL is a community coach and trainer helping people build their capacity to work toward win- win solutions in fiscal , comprehensive community development, environmental stewardship, racial equity, immigrant integration, and transportation oriented development. 50 AK The All-America City Award started in 1949. Gideon Seymour, managing editor of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, appointed reporter Jean James to cover NCL’s National Conference on Governance in St. Paul. In addition to covering the event, James was assigned to ask NCL (then called the National Municipal League)

to support an award to recognize the best-governed in America. HI

Instead, NCL suggested recognizing cities where citizen action had succeeded in making these communities a better place to live. Thus, the All-America City Award was born. It is called All-America City Award, rather than All-American City Award, because it recognizes the whole community and not an individual. George Gallup, Sr., the renowned public opinion pollster, served as president of the National Municipal League Board and Chairman of the All-America City Award jury that selected the winning cities. Gallup described the award as “…a Nobel prize for constructive citizenship.” communities across the nation

Winning the All-America City Award reinvigorates a community’s sense of civic pride. All-America City winners and finalists also experience heightened national attention — a proven boost for the recruitment of industry, jobs, and investment. Perhaps as important as the tangible benefits of being named an All-America are mobilizing City are the benefits a community derives from completing the application and making its presentation to the jury. The application process presents a unique opportunity for people to evaluate their community and to give more children and families the resources they need to develop as early readers and foster new partnerships. At the jury presentation, the delegation bonds with each other and networks with succeed academically — and in life. Working together with parents, schools and teachers, the other finalists. Most importantly, All-America Cities teach and inspire others throughout the nation that are struggling with similar issues how to meet their challenges in innovative and collaborative ways. It we can ensure that every child is on a path to a more hopeful future. is common to find previous All-America Cities or prospective applicants attending the jury presentations to hear the pearls of wisdom from the finalists. Are you with us? Follow the movement @reAdingby3rd

All-America Cities have been neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties, and regions. The communities honored each year are models of civic excellence. They demonstrate they are problem solvers. They provide examples of how they have been collaborative, innovative, impactful, and promoted civic engagement. Since its incep- tion, over 600 communities have won the All-America City Award designation and more than 2,000 others have been finalists. Some communities have won the award five or six times.

gradelevelreading.net

4 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd

City and County of OFFICE OF THE MAYOR CITY AND COUNTY BUILDING Michael B. Hancock Mayor DENVER, CO 80202-5390 TELEPHONE: (720) 865-9090 • FAX: (720) 865-8787 TTY/ TTD: (720) 865-9010 June 14, 2017

2017 Grade-Level Reading Communities Network Greetings: All-America City Award Participants Westin Denver International Airport On behalf of the State of Colorado, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the 2017 All- Denver, CO America City Awards Gathering. We are proud to host this event on its 68th anniversary with the emphasis on moving the needle on grade-level reading for our country’s youth. Greetings: In the spirit of the awards, Colorado has demonstrated a strong commitment to our state’s It is my honor to welcome the Grade-Level Reading Network Communities and All-America City Award children by emphasizing the importance of early childhood education and literacy. Here in participants back home to the Mile High City. Denver is, in many respects, the birthplace of the GLR Campaign, the Centennial State, public, private, and non-profit partners have worked together to help dating back to June 2012 when nearly 600 leaders from communities across the country participated in this Colorado become the healthiest state in the nation and to strength our early literacy unique gathering of funders, educators, and community stakeholders. programs such as Colorado Reads. From our work here in Colorado, we know that by working This is the largest gathering of local, state and national funders that support early literacy, early learning and with families, early childhood providers, and community partners to make early language early school success. Over the next few days, the GLR Campaign will convene more than 200 funders and 500 development a priority from the moment a child is born, we can make significant gains in community leaders to continue to our push here in Denver and across the country galvanize communities the closing of achievement gaps, increasing graduation rates, and improving outcomes for around dramatically increasing the number of children who can read proficiently by the third grade. every child and family.

By working with families, early childhood providers, community partners to make early language development Again, we are privileged to welcome leaders from schools, cities, foundations, non-profits a priority from the moment a child is born, we can make significant gains in closing achievement gaps, and libraries across our nation who all share our dedication to moving the needle on third- increasing graduation rates and improving outcomes for children, families and communities. Together, we will grade reading proficiency. We recognize your commitment to civic engagement and thank discuss how we can continue to share strategies from education programs and communities that are you for your hard work and dedication in promoting the success of young people in your experiencing success while exchanging innovative ideas that will shape future policies and practices. communities. We are confident the 2017 All-America City Awards will be a transformative experience that will inspire you with new ideas and will equip you with new tools as you This gathering is also a time to celebrate achievements in early literacy during the All-America City Awards head back home. ceremony, as well as reflect on the hard work each and every one of you do day in and day out to help our children succeed in school and in life. You and your organizations have made a commitment to families in You have our best wishes for a successful and productive conference! neighborhoods of concentrated poverty to bundle services through public private partnerships. We’re proud to set a benchmark on how to leverage assets in a collective, comprehensive and coordinated way that Sincerely, ultimately improves the lives and outcomes for children in low-income families. Denver, for our part, is especially excited to receive the 2016 Pacesetter award for our exemplary work in the early childhood arena and our Birth to Eight Roadmap which aligns more than 100 leaders across the city and draws from their collective expertise. John W. Hickenlooper Governor On behalf of the City and County of Denver, please accept my gratitude for your dedication to improving the quality of education for all children. I wish all of you a successful and productive week.

Respectfully,

Michael B. Hancock Mayor 6 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 7 Save money. Live better. These words are more than just a tagline. They define our mission to create opportunities so people can live better. We work to fulfill our mission everyday by providing access to affordable fresh food and Better communities. Better health. merchandise; creating jobs that lead to life-long careers; and making a WE BELIEVE GOOD HEALTH BELONGS TO ALL OF COLORADO. positive impact on the communities we serve. When people are surrounded by healthy food, safe neighborhoods, fresh water, and clean air, good health is highly possible. We recognize that healthy communities At Walmart, we are passionate about helping people live better. and a healthy environment are critical to the wellness of every person. That’s why in One community at a time. 2016 we invested $118 million toward Colorado community health initiatives.

kp.org/share/co 8 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd 2017 ALL-AMERICA CITY FINALISTS

On day one, Ames, IA Quad Cities, IA & IL public sector Avondale, AZ Roanoke, VA Council Bluffs, IA Rochester, NY

Dallas, TX Salt Lake (Clearfield, Kearns, Park City & South Salt Lake), UT workers begin Delray Beach, FL San Antonio, TX Des Moines, IA Springdale, AR serving others. Dubuque, IA Springfield, MA Gulfport, MS Stockton-San Joaquin County, CA Kansas City, MO Suncoast Lafayette County-Oxford-University, (Manatee & Sarasota Counties), FL MS Syracuse, NY Lane County, OR Tahoe Truckee, CA Montgomery County-Dayton, OH Wake County, NC New Britain, CT Worcester, MA Newport, RI

That’s the day we begin serving them. People who dedicate their lives to serving others deserve an organiztion that dedicates itself exclusively to them. For over forty years, we’ve met the challenge to help public sector workers realize their retirement dreams. icmarc.org/info

nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 11 2016 GLR CAMPAIGN COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS PACESETTERS ANNIVERSARY

in alphabetical order by state:

2000 ATTORNEYS | 38 LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE˚

Marvell-Elaine, AR Springfield, MA Springdale, AR Worcester, MA Phoenix, AZ Flint & Genesee County, MI In celebrating our 50th anniversary Fresno, CA Kansas City, MO Stockton-San Joaquin County, CA Gulfport, MS at GT, we refl ect upon a long-standing Tahoe Truckee, CA Mecklenburg County-Charlotte, NC City and County of Denver, CO Wake County, NC tradition of serving communities by Hartford, CT Camden, NJ serving as pro bono counsel, volunteering New Britain, CT New York City, NY Broward County, FL Rochester, NY our time and resources, and forging Delray Beach, FL Syracuse, NY Indian River County, FL Montgomery County-Dayton, OH local partnerships to support Suncoast Portland-Earl Boyles, OR worthy causes like the (Manatee & Sarasota Counties), FL Lane County, OR Colquitt County, GA Wallowa County, OR National Civic League. Seminole County, GA , PA Whitfield County, GA Newport, RI Ames, IA Dallas, TX Cedar Rapids, IA San Antonio, TX Council Bluffs, IA Salt Lake (Clearfield, Kearns, Des Moines, IA Park City & South Salt Lake), UT Dubuque, IA Roanoke, VA Dyersville, IA Tacoma, WA Quad Cities, IA & IL Hancock County, WV Shawnee County, KS Louisville, KY GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP 1200 17TH STREET | SUITE 2400 | DENVER, CO 80202 | 303.572.6500

GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP | ATTORNEYS AT LAW | WWW.GTLAW.COM

Greenberg Traurig is a service mark and trade name of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. ©2017Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. °These numbers are subject to fl uctuation. 29134 12 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd CAMPAIGN FOR GRADE-LEVEL READING COMMUNITIES CAMPAIGN FOR GRADE-LEVEL READING COMMUNITIES

ALABAMA CALIFORNIA Plymouth Colquitt County# Washington County KANSAS MISSOURI Wake County#+ Birmingham* Berkeley Torrington Columbia County Whitfield County# City of El Dorado Kansas City*#+ Wayne County Montgomery* Buena Park Vernon Cook County Wilcox County Emporia MONTANA West Alabama/ Chula Vista Waterbury Crawford County Wilkinson County Shawnee County# OHIO Billings* Tuscaloosa* Fresno*# Winchester Crisp County Worth County Franklin County KENTUCKY Montgomery County- Kern County DeKalb (East Lake NEVADA ARIZONA Louisville*# Long Beach FLORIDA and Kirkwood HAWAII Dayton*#+ Avondale+ Las Vegas Brevard County Neighborhoods)* Statewide Balsz LOUISIANA Northern Nevada and OHIO & KENTUCKY Oakland* Broward County# Echols County Buckeye IDAHO New Orleans* the Sierra (Reno) Cincinnati and Northern Pacoima Community Delray Beach*#+ Elbert County Bullhead City Statewide Kentucky* Initiative, Los Angeles Gainesville/Alachua Emanuel County MAINE NEW JERSEY Chandler* County* Richmond* Fulton County (South ILLINOIS Lewiston* Camden# OKLAHOMA Cochise Sacramento Indian River County# and Southeast Atlanta) Chicago* Portland* Carteret Enid Copper Corridor Salinas* Jacksonville/Duval Gilmer County Waukegan Sacopee Valley Newark* Oklahoma City* Flagstaff San Francisco* County Glynn County Waterville Paterson Globe-Miami San Jose* Manatee County (part of Gordon County INDIANA OREGON Goodyear* MARYLAND NEW MEXICO San Mateo County Suncoast)#+ Gwinnett County Fort Wayne* Lane County#+ Greater Surprise Baltimore* Albuquerque* Santa Cruz County Martin County Hancock County Greater Lafayette* Portland-Earl Boyles# Hualapai Montgomery County* Doña Ana County/ Stanislaus County Miami-Dade County* Henry County Indianapolis* Wallowa County# Mesa* Orlando Muncie Mesilla West Medford Stockton-San Joaquin Houston County MASSACHUSETTS North Gila County County*#+ Palm Beach County Richmond* Yoncalla Jenkins County Boston* NEW YORK Phoenix*# Pinellas County* Tahoe Truckee*#+ Jones County Holyoke Buffalo* Riverside Sarasota County IOWA PENNSYLVANIA Lanier County New Bedford* Chemung County Roosevelt COLORADO Ames*#+ Allegheny County (part of Suncoast)*#+ Lee County Sahuarita Boulder County Cedar Rapids*# Pittsfield* Cortland County Lehigh Valley Tallahassee and nearby Lowndes County San Carlos Apache Tribe City and County of Cedar Valley (Waterloo Springfield*#+ Herkimer & Oneida Philadelphia*# communities* Macon County Santa Cruz County Denver# and Cedar Falls) Worcester*#+ Counties Reading* Tampa/Hillsborough Monroe County Scottsdale Longmont Council Bluffs#+ Madison County Wyoming Valley County* Murray County MICHIGAN Tempe* Des Moines*#+ New York City# Newton County Ann Arbor* PUERTO RICO Tolleson CONNECTICUT GEORGIA Dubuque*#+ Rochester*#+ Peach County Detroit* San Juan Tucson Branford Atlanta* Dyersville# Syracuse#+ Polk County Flint & Genesee Yuma Bridgeport Baldwin County Grinnell County*# NORTH CAROLINA RHODE ISLAND Bristol Barrow County Pulaski County Jackson County Kent County Gaston County Newport#+ ARKANSAS Chaplin Bibb County (Macon- Richmond County Marshalltown* Savannah* Mecklenburg County/ Providence* Eudora Colchester Bibb) MISSISSIPPI Seminole County# IOWA & ILLINOIS Charlotte*# Little Rock* Danbury Brooks County SOUTH CAROLINA Gulfport#+ Moore County Marvell-Elaine# Hartford*# Candler County Telfair County Quad Cities*#+ Richland County* Lafayette County- Nash and Edgecombe Pulaski County Meriden Catoosa County Terrell County Oxford-University+ Counties Springdale#+ New Britain*#+ Charlton County Toombs County Norwalk Clarke County Twiggs County

14 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 15 CAMPAIGN FOR GRADE-LEVEL READING COMMUNITIES 68TH ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARDS AGENDA Westin Denver International Airport SOUTH DAKOTA Seattle and the South Mercer County Rapid City King County cities Mineral County of Auburn, Burien, Mingo County TENNESSEE Federal Way, Kent, Monongalia County Memphis Renton, SeaTac, and Monroe County WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 TEXAS Tukwila* Morgan County Arlington-Mansfield Tacoma*# Nicholas County 5:00 PM AAC Registration Opens Austin* Ohio County Grand Foyer WASHINGTON, D.C. Brownsville* Pendleton County Washington, D.C. Dallas*#+ Pleasant County 6:00 PM Closing GLR Funder Huddle and Opening All-America City Reception Houston WEST VIRGINIA Pocahontas County Grand Foyer Palacios Barbour County Preston County San Antonio*#+ Berkeley County Putnam County Honor and Thank GLR Campaign Pacesetters Waco Boone County Raleigh County Braxton County Randolph County U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS Brooke County Ritchie County St. Thomas, St. Croix, THURSDAY, JUNE 15 Cabell County Roane County St. John Summers County Calhoun County 7:00 AM Registration opens, Grand Foyer Taylor County UTAH Clay County Tucker County Salt Lake (Clearfield, Doddridge County 8:00 – 9:00 AM Welcome Breakfast for New and Prospective Communities Tyler County Kearns, Park City and Fayette County Upshur County South Salt Lake)#+ Gilmer County 8:00 – 9:00 AM Share and Learn Breakfast for Communities Using Vroom Wayne County Salt Lake City Grant County Webster County Greenbrier County 8:00 – 9:00 AM Welcome Breakfast for California Communities VIRGINIA Hampshire County Wetzel County Wirt County Alexandria* Hancock County# 8:00 – 9:00 AM Welcome Breakfast for Iowa Communities Greater Richmond* Hardy County Wood County Wyoming County Harrisonburg & Rock- Harrison County 9:00 – 9:45 AM Morning Plenary, Spruce Ballroom ingham County Jackson County WISCONSIN Martinsville-Henry Jefferson County Eau Claire* 10:00 – 11:15 AM Workshops and Roundtable Conversations County* Kanawha County Milwaukee Petersburg* Lewis County 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM Plenary Session — 14 AAC Award Finalist Presentations, Spruce Ballroom Roanoke*#+ Lincoln County * Former All-America City Virginia Beach Logan County awardee 12:30 – 1:30 PM Luncheon — Honor GLR Campaign Champions, Spruce Ballroom Marion County WASHINGTON # 2016 Pacesetter Marshall County Anacortes* + 2017 All-America City 1:45 – 2:30 PM Plenary Session — 13 All-America City Award Finalist Presentations, Mason County Bellevue* finalist Spruce Ballroom Mcdowell County

16 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 17 68TH ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARDS AGENDA

3:00 – 4:15 PM Workshops and Roundtable Conversations

4:30 PM Communications Expo Opens, Grand Foyer

4:30 PM Reception — Honor and Thank Peer Reviewers and National Partners

6:00 PM All Aboard! Dinner on your own in Denver Visit the Moonshot Rocket from Indian River County, Fla., an arts-enriched mobile literacy lab. The Moonshot Rocket will be parked on 17th in between Wynkoop & Wazie, right in front of Union Station!

FRIDAY, JUNE 16

7:00 AM Registration Open, Grand Foyer

8:00 – 9:00 AM Building Equitable Communities: All-America City Awards 2018 and Beyond • National Civic League Board Chairman Derek Okubo, City and County of Denver • Carla Kimbrough, Racial Equity Director, National Civic League

9:00 – 9:45 AM Breakfast Roundtables to share communications products

9:45 – 10:15 AM Multi-Media Morning Plenary, Spruce Ballroom

Presentation of Communications Honors

10:30 – 11:45 AM Workshops and Roundtable Conversations

12:00 – 2:00 PM Lunch Plenary, Spruce Ballroom

Announcement of the All-America City Award Recipients

2:00 PM Adjourn

18 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 19 Honor the past. 2017 COUNCIL OF CHAMPIONS Experience the present. Shape the future.

NORFOLK - PROUD NAVY TOWN 100 YEARS MARTHA BRUCKNER* MICHAEL JOHNSTON* Superintendent Former state legislator Council Bluffs Community School District Colorado Senate, representing Senate District 33 in Northeast Denver

JOHN H. DAVIS Currently a candidate for Senior Trustee Governor of Colorado 2018 Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ventry Industries, LLC PORTIA KENNEL Senior Vice President Ounce of Prevention Fund MORGAN FREEMAN Oscar-winning Actor & Founder Tallahatchie River Foundation RHONDA H. LAUER* President and CEO Foundations, Inc. CAROLE GROOM* Supervisor San Mateo County ANGEL TAVERAS Former Mayor Providence, Rhode Island SANDRA GUTIERREZ* Founder and National Director Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors *Attending

SLY JAMES Mayor Kansas City, Missouri

From Festivals to Fleet Week, find out how you can join in the year-long celebration at norfolk.gov/navy100 20 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 21 2017 ALL-AMERICA CITY FINALIST PROGRAM SUMMARIES City of fort lauderdale AMES, IOWA 2016. The third-grade students at all elementary schools went from 80.19 percent proficient in read- The GLR Campaign and National Civic League ing in 2014–15 to 83.18 percent in 2015–16. recognize Ames, Iowa, as a 2017 finalist for the All-America City Awards. Ames is cited for report- ing measurable progress in school readiness, school AVONDALE, ARIZONA attendance, summer learning and overall grade-level Winner of JetBlue’s 2016 reading for children from families with low incomes, The GLR Campaign and National Civic League as well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic recognize Avondale, Arizona, as a 2017 finalist for engagement and inclusiveness. Ames Reads is a the All-America City Awards. Avondale is cited for cross-sector coalition involving local government, reporting measurable progress in summer learning Soar with nonprofit agencies and regional organizations to and overall grade-level reading for children from ensure that all children (a) enter kindergarten ready low-income families, as well as for exemplary efforts reading to learn; (b) read at grade level by the end of third in promoting civic engagement and inclusiveness. ConteS t grade; and (c) graduate from high school. The In 2014, Valley of the Sun United Way, the City coalition has successfully partnered with area health of Avondale and the Avondale Elementary School care providers, WIC, a federally funded health care District formed Read On Avondale (ROA) as a center, human service agencies and food pantries to cross-sector collaborative, targeting third-grade engage and serve families with low incomes. Local reading proficiency. The coalition has continued citizens, faith groups and businesses generously vol- to build and diversify its membership to include a unteer and financially support their work. school board member, local health providers, parents and a state legislator. ROA has placed a high priority In Ames Community School District (ACSD), sub- on reaching children and families in public hous- groups of students from families with low incomes ing and other children who are especially vulner- have shown improvement in multiple areas. From able. For example, the City of Avondale, Care 1st The City of Fort Lauderdale is 2014 to 2016, kindergartners showed a 19 percent and First Things First jointly support a resource proud to support the key drivers improvement in meeting the benchmark for school center that serves as a one-stop shop for low-income of early reading success! readiness and literacy. More young children attended families, providing housing assistance, health and school more regularly, as a result of ACSD’s use of nutrition programs, community meeting space, job assistance and parenting education programs. ROA This summer, Fort Lauderdale an Early Indicator System to track children at risk of and JetBlue will provide 100,000 dropping out. Once a student is identified, district has partnered with the Southwest Valley Chamber teams develop plans to address barriers to attendance. of Commerce and FirstBook to purchase books for books to preschool, elementary Between the 2012–13 and 2015–16 school years, children enrolled in a set of focus schools in the and middle school students to the rate of chronic absence among pre-K–3 students area. The community operates a Summer Learning help increase reading levels! from families with low incomes declined from 10.24 Collaborative (SLC) for students who have com- percent to 8.73 percent, a slightly more than 15 pleted kindergarten through third grade to mitigate We’re committed to helping our percent improvement. In the Little Cyclone Summer summer slide. Data on the SLC reveal that during youngsters Soar with Reading! Enrichment program, the percentage of children the summer of 2015, 95 students participating in moving from not proficient to proficient increased the SLC maintained or increased literacy skills, while from 10.11 percent in 2015 to 17.03 percent in in the summer of 2016, 133 participants maintained

22 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 23 or increased literacy skills. Avondale also saw an improving their reading proficiency levels over the increase in the number and percent of students summer increased from 7.7 percent in 2015 to 12.5 who are reading proficiently by the end of the third percent in 2016. There was also an increase in the grade: 17 percent of third graders were reading profi- percentage of third-grade children reading at the ciently in the spring of 2015, while 28 percent were proficient level, from 28.7 percent in 2014 to 44.4 reading proficiently in the spring of 2016. percent in 2016.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA DALLAS, TEXAS

The GLR Campaign and National Civic League The GLR Campaign and National Civic League recognize Council Bluffs, Iowa, as a 2017 finalist recognize Dallas, Texas, as a 2017 finalist for the for the All-America City Awards. Council Bluffs is All-America City Awards. A previous winner of an cited for reporting measurable progress in school All-America City Award, Dallas is currently cited for readiness, school attendance, summer learning and reporting measurable progress in summer learning overall grade-level reading for children from low- and overall grade-level reading for children from income families, as well as for exemplary efforts in low-income families, as well as for exemplary efforts promoting civic engagement and inclusiveness. With in promoting civic engagement and inclusiveness. funding from the Iowa West Foundation, United In 2012, a broad and diverse coalition of stakehold- Way of the Midlands and private donors, Raise Me ers came together to collectively work to benefit to Read — the locally branded GLR campaign — students throughout Dallas County, from cradle has engaged over 40 local organizations to elevate to career. The Commit! Partnership was formed to the issue, align the community on grade-level read- act as a backbone organization supporting over 190 ing and spearhead collectively developed strategies organizations, which include public school districts, for the campaign. Council Bluffs’ free community charter school networks, private schools, higher WiFi B-Link has been leveraged to support student education institutions, foundations, businesses, success, and the coalition plans to expand its literacy nonprofits and faith-based and community organiza- promotion efforts to reach children in underserved tions. The partnership convenes, facilitates and pro- communities. New literacy efforts, including vides resources to partners to achieve better student book distribution programs and volunteer reading outcomes across 11 critical community achievement opportunities, will be directed at the Pottawattamie indicators, which were all developed and agreed on County Jail, the Centro Latino Center, the domes- by the partners. The coalition also works at a systems tic violence shelter, permanent supportive housing level to directly recruit volunteers and strengthen programs and foster care settings. As a result of its messaging. For instance, it influenced Dallas Morn- efforts, Council Bluffs reports the following measur- ing News, the largest regional newspaper, to adopt able progress for low-income children: From spring early childhood as a priority area that receives consis- 2014 to spring 2016, Council Bluffs Community tent coverage and reporting. As a result of its work, School District saw an increase in the percentage the community has seen measurable outcomes for of children meeting kindergarten readiness criteria, children from low-income families. There was a sig- from 82.2 percent to 92.7 percent. The percent- nificant increase in the number of low-income K–3 age of first graders who were chronically absent students who stayed on grade level or improved over went from 6.9 percent in 2012–13 to 5.3 percent the summer 2016 (271 students) compared with in 2014–15. The percentage of second graders the previous summer 2015 (73 students). In overall

24 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 25 grade-level reading, 42 percent of K–2 students were program participants, in contrast to prior summers reading on grade level in the spring of 2015, com- that produced no statistically significant gains. In THE CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA pared with only 30 percent in the spring of 2014. addition, Delray Beach saw an increase of 22 percent over two years in the number of low-income chil- Congratulates the 2017 All-America City Finalists! dren reading proficiently. DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA

The GLR Campaign and National Civic League DES MOINES, IOWA recognize Delray Beach, Florida, as a 2017 finalist for the All-America City Awards. A previous two- The GLR Campaign and National Civic League rec- time All-America City Award winner, Delray Beach ognize Des Moines, Iowa, as a 2017 finalist for the is cited for reporting measurable progress in school All-America City Awards. A five-time All-America attendance, summer learning and overall grade-level City Award winner, Des Moines is cited for report- reading for children from low-income families, as ing measurable progress in school readiness, school well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic attendance, summer learning and overall grade-level engagement and inclusiveness. When Delray Beach reading for children from low-income families, as found that only 50 percent of its children were read- well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic ing at grade level by third grade, community leaders engagement and inclusiveness. Over the past year, issued a “call to action.” A local coalition was created United Way of Central Iowa (UWCI), the GLR that studied the issues, took ownership and com- community lead for Des Moines, has worked to mitted to be accountable. Key to the success of the strengthen collaboration across institutional sectors ensuing campaign was negotiating a Memorandum (business, nonprofit, library, government, K–12 edu- of Understanding with Palm Beach County School cation, higher education, social service, health, faith, District to share student data. Also significant was philanthropic, neighborhood/civic groups) in sup- the campaign’s ability to leverage the mayor’s support port of the local GLR effort. To increase diversity, in enhancing local school, family and community UWCI strategically engaged local companies, volun- partnerships. In 2016, the campaign launched the teers and non-traditional partners such as churches, Mayor’s Task Force on Family Engagement, which specific ethnic groups and African-American frater- included 40 members of the community including nities and sororities. In May 2016, UWCI intro- educators, parents, students and nonprofits. Despite duced the READ to SUCCEED campaign to the early challenges in engaging non-English speaking larger community in a media event, which resulted families, the task force found ways to reach families in over 300 volunteers signing up to read with successfully. District and city support for interpreta- children through the Power Read and Book Buddy tion services for Spanish and Creole families enabled programs. As a result of its efforts, Des Moines The City of Rancho Cordova is a vibrant community that augments the task force to engage parents of children from reports the following measurable progress for chil- educational and literacy opportunities for youth through its Community Title 1 schools in developing solutions to increase dren from low-income families: In school readiness, Enhancement Fund. This year, the City provided 3,500 free books for parental involvement in supporting early literacy the percentage of students who met the benchmark Read Across America Day, creative writing workshops, after-school and learning. Between 2011–12 and 2015–16, the on the Formative Assessment System for Teachers mentoring programs, arts and music instruction, and more to Rancho percentage of low-income K–3 children who were went from 28.6 percent in 2014 to 49.3 percent in Cordova students. chronically absent was reduced from 6.54 percent to 2016. The percentage of students who were chroni- 2.1 percent. The results of an evaluation of Delray’s cally absent went from 15.2 percent in the 2013–14 2016 summer programming reveal that there was a school year to 12.2 percent in 2015–16. In summer significant increase in the mean reading scores for learning, the percentage of students improving from CityofRanchoCordova.org

26 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 27 pre- to post-testing over the summer increased from 2016 compared with 56.3 percent in 2015. At the 34 percent showing improvement in the summer of end of the 2015–16 school year, 59 percent of low- 2014 to 73 percent in the summer of 2016. Over income third graders scored at the proficient level in three years, the percentage of low-income children overall grade-level reading compared with 53 percent proficient in reading went from 58 percent to 61 the previous year. percent.

GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI DUBUQUE, IOWA The GLR Campaign and National Civic League The GLR Campaign and National Civic League recognize Gulfport, Mississippi, as a 2017 finalist recognize Dubuque, Iowa, as a 2017 finalist for the for the All-America City Awards. Gulfport is cited All-America City Awards. A three-time All-America for reporting measurable progress in school readi- City Award winner, Dubuque is cited for reporting ness and overall grade-level reading for children measurable progress in school attendance, summer from low-income families, as well as for exemplary learning and overall grade-level reading for children efforts in promoting civic engagement and inclusive- from low-income families, as well as for exemplary ness. In 2012, a group of 20 business leaders from efforts in promoting civic engagement and inclu- the Gulf Coast Business Council joined with the siveness. Building on a history of community-wide mayor of Gulfport to focus on early education and visioning and strategic planning, the campaign for preparing children for academic success. The result CONGRATULATIONS grade-level reading in Dubuque was developed with was the formation of the Coast Coalition, which led inputs from students, parents and educators, as well to the creation of privately funded, free preschools as leaders from nonprofits, business, government and for 4-year-olds living in the Coastal Counties. Staff 2017 ALL-AMERICA CITY philanthropy. Partners in the campaign come from from businesses, nonprofit agencies, hospitals, every major institutional sector in the community accounting firms, attorneys, the library, the Secretary FINALISTS! — education, government, business, nonprofit, faith of State’s office and the Coast Chamber, as well as and philanthropy. The mayor and city council have school district superintendents, have continued to made third-grade reading a priority in the city’s stra- work together under the One Coast Coalition to Asheboro, North Carolina wishes you the tegic plan for each of the past five years, while the address other school readiness needs in the commu- school district has also identified third-grade reading nity. Working with others in the state, the coalition as a strategic priority. The local GLR effort receives played a significant role in helping to pass legislation best of luck in the competition strong support from the Chamber of Commerce, that established state funding for preschools for the and the Greater Dubuque Development Corpora- first time. Additionally, while the state of Missis- tion recently began tracking third-grade reading as sippi does not routinely disaggregate test data into one of its success indicators. Continuous outreach free/reduced-price lunch subgroups specifically, the to new partners and groups has ensured that diverse coalition made a special request to have data disag- perspectives are brought to the network. As a result gregated for two districts in Gulfport. The coalition of the efforts of the local campaign, the number of partnered with the Bezos Family Foundation to kindergartners who were chronically absent in five bring the Vroom application to parents, while also Title I schools fell from 14.5 percent in 2014–15 to collaborating with researchers to monitor and evalu- 9.5 percent in 2015–16. Results from the Summer ate the use of Vroom by parents. As a result of the Academy showed that 64.9 percent of low-income work of the GLR coalition, school readiness among students maintained or improved reading scores in children entering kindergarten increased from 32

28 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 29 percent ready in the fall of 2014 to 66.3 percent Finally, the percentage of students enrolled in Title ready in 2016. Additionally, in 2015, 91 percent I schools scoring proficient or above on the third- of low-income third-grade students in the city of grade ELA assessment increased from 30 percent in Gulfport met standard on the Mississippi Reading 2012 to 41 percent in 2016. Assessment, while 92 percent met standard in 2016.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY-OXFORD-UNIVERSITY, MISSISSIPPI KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI The GLR Campaign and National Civic League The GLR Campaign and National Civic League recognize Lafayette County-Oxford-University, Mis- recognize Kansas City, Missouri, as a 2017 final- sissippi, as a 2017 finalist for the All-America City ist for the All-America City Awards. A five-time Awards. Lafayette is cited for making measurable winner of the All-America City Award, Kansas City progress in both school readiness and overall grade- is cited for reporting measurable progress in school level reading for children from low-income families, attendance, summer learning and overall grade-level as well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic reading for children from low-income families, as engagement and inclusiveness. The local GLR coali- well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic tion includes an especially strong and diverse set of engagement and inclusiveness. Working with over partners representing various sectors of the commu- 50 partner organizations, Turn the Page KC (Kansas nity, including both local school districts (Lafayette City’s locally branded third-grade reading initiative) and Oxford), LOU United Way, Center for Excel- has dramatically increased public support for early lence in Literacy Instruction at the University of learning. Several key organizations have integrated Mississippi, University Museum, the Oxford Park the initiative’s goals into their work, and there has Commission (OPC), Lafayette County & Oxford been an increase in the percentage of philanthropic Public Library, the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, support focused on literacy from birth through age LOU Home and the Oxford Housing Authority, 8. The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, LOU Excel by 5, child care providers, early inter- CONGRATULATIONS TO for example, adopted kindergarten readiness as one vention and health care service providers, and other of its “Big 5 Initiatives.” In order to address the literacy-related programs and organizations. The THE 2017 ALL-AMERICA school absence issue, Lead to Read KC recruited, coalition is divided into four workgroups, reflect- trained and placed over 1,000 volunteers to serve as ing the GLR Campaign’s framework, to advance caring adults in the school building. This includes the work of the coalition and increase community CITY FINALISTS. teams of volunteers from more than 25 businesses participation. Participation in the Campaign has who read in 48 classrooms and 74 volunteers from increased understanding among coalition members the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) who especially about the interrelationship among strate- read with students every week. As a result of its gies and activities that promote literacy, health and Aurora, Colorado wishes you the efforts, Kansas City has reduced chronic absence for wellness. The coalition also hosts free community K–3 students attending Title 1 elementary schools events, such as the annual EXCELebration, quarterly from 15 percent in the 2012–13 school year to 12 play dates and parent workshops that help parents best of luck in the competition. percent in the 2015–16 school year. For low-income understand how to play with their children to boost children ages 5–8, 44 percent increased an average of development and early literacy skills. As a result of 23 Lexile points during the summer of 2016, com- its GLR campaign efforts, Lafayette reports the fol- pared with only 7 percent who increased an average lowing measurable progress: There was a dramatic of 19 Lexile points during the summer of 2013. improvement in the percentage of economically

30 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 31 disadvantaged children entering kindergarten who school readiness for low-income children. Data from scored proficient: 29 percent of entering kinder- the Kids in Transition to School (KITS) summer gartners scored proficient in fall of 2014, while 50 program reveals progress for low-income kindergart- percent scored proficient in the fall of 2016. Also, ners in the areas of early literacy, numeracy, social- drawing on data collected in the spring of 2015 and emotional skills and self-regulation. Results from 2016, the community saw a slight increase in the the pilot study indicate there was a 28 percent drop percentage of first graders who are proficient in read- in the number of children at risk for reading failure ing, from 94 percent to 95 percent. and a 40 percent drop in the number of children at risk for difficulties with concepts about print. KITS served approximately 11.12 percent of all entering LANE COUNTY, OREGON kindergartners in Lane County in 2016, up from 1.5 percent in 2011–12. The GLR Campaign and National Civic League recognize Lane County, Oregon, as a 2017 finalist for the All-America City Awards. Lane County is MONTGOMERY COUNTY-DAYTON, OHIO cited for reporting measurable progress in school readiness and summer learning for children from The GLR Campaign and National Civic League low-income families, as well as for exemplary efforts recognize Montgomery County-Dayton, Ohio, as in promoting civic engagement and inclusiveness. a 2017 finalist for the All-America City Awards. United Way of Lane County serves as the back- A three-time All-America City Award winner, bone of the Early Learning Alliance (ELA), which Dayton is cited for measurable progress in school is focused on working together with cross-sector attendance and summer learning, as well as for partners to create systems that are aligned, coordi- exemplary efforts in promoting civic engagement nated and family centered to ensure children are and inclusiveness. Led initially by Montgomery prepared to succeed in school and life. The ELA’s County, the community has been intensely focused primary decision-making body, the Governance on improving student success starting in preschool. Consortium, includes five designated community In 2013, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley created the sectors (health, K–12 education, early childhood City of Learners Committee to advance this and education, social/human services and business and other goals. Composed of over 70 representatives, community leaders); parents; representatives from the committee hosted listening sessions to gain rural communities; and individuals who have exper- feedback on fostering a strong education culture. tise in equity. The ELA also established a group of The local GLR coalition’s implementation partner- “equity advisors” from community-based organiza- ships include the county’s 16 school districts, the tions that work with diverse populations, specifically Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, the families who identify as African American, Latino Junior League of Dayton and the Dayton Metro and Native American. These organizations conduct Library system. The campaign has recently engaged surveys and focus groups with families; provide parents through focus groups, data walks and family guidance on culturally-relevant, best practice pro- representation on the Preschool Promise board. The gramming and outreach methods; and implement coalition’s focus and County Commissioner Debbie early learning programs. Through the ELA’s collab- Lieberman and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley’s com- orative efforts, developmental screening rates have mitment to making early childhood education a increased from 28.3 percent in 2013 to 67 percent priority resulted in the passage of an increase in the in 2015, indicating a significant improvement in city’s income tax to fund universal preschool for

32 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 33 all Dayton 4-year-olds (as well as ensure the city’s 1 on the NWEA Reading Assessment increased from ongoing financial stability). Strongly supported by 30.4 percent to 41.8 percent. The percentage of the mayor, the levy funds the Preschool Promise low-income first-grade students who were chroni- for eight years, with $4.3 million in annual sup- cally absent dropped from 25.1 percent in 2011–12 port. Dayton has seen reductions in chronic absence 1to 13.3 percent in 2015–16. The percentage of among low-income children in four of its partner third-grade students from low-income families who school districts, with the highest chronic absence participated in the Summer Enrichment Experience rate among the four at 20 percent in 2012–13. In and who did not experience summer reading skill that same district in 2015–16, the rate had been loss improved from 36.3 percent in summer 2014 cut to 14.7 percent. To promote summer learning, to 60.7 percent in summer 2016. Similarly, New two high-poverty school districts partnered with Britain saw an increase from 35.7 percent in spring the BELL summer learning program in 2016; their 2014 to 45.7 percent in spring 2016 in the percent- students gained an average of two months in reading age of second-grade students achieving reading proficiency. proficiency.

NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

The GLR Campaign and National Civic League The GLR Campaign and National Civic League recognize New Britain, Connecticut, as a 2017 recognize Newport, Rhode Island, as a 2017 finalist finalist for the All-America City Awards. A previous for the All-America City Awards. Newport is cited winner of the All-America City Award, New Britain for reporting measurable progress in school readi- is cited for reporting measurable progress in school ness and school attendance for children from low- readiness, school attendance, summer learning and income families, as well as for exemplary efforts in overall grade-level reading for children from low- promoting civic engagement and inclusiveness. The income families, as well as for exemplary efforts in Newport Campaign for Grade-Level Reading was promoting civic engagement and inclusiveness. The launched in 2015 in coordination with the Newport local campaign is led by the Coalition for New Brit- Data in Your Backyard presentation, an annual event ain’s Youth, which is a citywide group that includes hosted by Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. This event parents, educators, government officials, health and attracted representatives from more than 60 organi- social service agencies, and others as members com- zations and stakeholder groups that are part of the mitted to improving the lives of New Britain’s youth, local GLR campaign’s broad and diverse coalition, birth through age 24. The New Britain GLR Cam- including a state senator, several city council mem- paign reaches approximately 5,000 low-income chil- bers and leaders of major community organizations, dren in a school district of roughly 10,000 students. such as the Newport Public Schools, Newport Part- When it first started its work in 2001, the coalition nership for Families, East Bay Community Action pursued a two-pronged strategy of (1) mobilizing Program, Child & Family, Boys & Girls Club of parents to advocate for more school readiness fund- Newport, Newport Public Library, Newport Cham- ing from the state and (2) working with preschools ber of Commerce, Dr. Martin Luther King Commu- to plan for additional classrooms. As a result, New nity Center, Reach Out and Read Rhode Island, and Britain has made the following measurable progress: the van Buren Charitable Foundation. The commu- From 2013 to 2016, the percentage of low-income nity has the highest percentage of affordable housing kindergarten students scoring in Performance Band in the state and has made the Newport Housing

34 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 35 Authority a key partner in its GLR campaign effort. efforts, between fall 2012 and 2016, the percentage Through the Walking School Bus program, com- of children in low-income neighborhoods assessed munity partners, volunteers and university students with the Kindergarten Skills Inventory who were help walk students to school from nearby housing ready for kindergarten increased from 74.3 percent communities, while also working with the housing to 80.4 percent. The chronic absence rate for K–3 authority to ensure that sidewalks and pathways are students at three elementary schools decreased from clear of snow after winter snowstorms. As a result 21 percent in 2014–15 to 14 percent in 2015–16. of Newport’s GLR efforts, child outreach develop- Reading scores for third graders in the Bettendorf mental screening rates for 5-year-olds increased from Community School District (one of the partner 31 percent in 2014–15 to 51 percent in 2015–16. districts in the collaborative) increased from 73.5 During the 2012–13 school year, 17 percent of percent proficient in 2014–15 to 78.9 percent profi- students in grades K–3 were chronically absent, cient in 2015–16. compared with 11 percent in 2014–15.

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA QUAD CITIES, IOWA & ILLINOIS The GLR Campaign and National Civic League The GLR Campaign and National Civic League recognize Roanoke, Virginia, as a 2017 finalist recognize Quad Cities, Iowa and Illinois, as a 2017 for the All-America City Awards. A six-time All- finalist for the All-America City Awards. Having America City Awardee, Roanoke is cited for report- previously won an All-America City Award, Quad ing measurable progress in school readiness, school Cities is cited for reporting measurable progress attendance, summer learning and overall grade-level in school readiness, school attendance and overall reading for children from low-income families, as grade-level reading for children from low-income well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic families, as well as for exemplary efforts in promot- engagement and inclusiveness. Star City Reads, ing civic engagement and inclusiveness. With eight Roanoke’s locally branded campaign effort, encour- school districts and five different city governments ages data sharing, data analysis, best practices and located along the Mississippi River in two separate targeted strategies. The coalition currently consists of states, cross-sector collaboration and coordination 25 partners, including libraries, schools, health pro- in the Quad Cities has been important to achieving grams, arts organizations and the police department. results for the area’s children. In 2012, representa- With the help of coalition partners at Virginia Tech tives from 18 local organizations came together to Carilion Research Institute, Star City Reads reviews focus initially on school readiness and other strate- and disaggregates system-wide data for a variety of gies. Since then the coalition has worked to establish subgroups (e.g., family income and child special a community-wide data warehouse, which houses needs, such as being an English language learner or individual-level identified data from all eight local having an IEP). As the community lead within the school districts and is working toward incorporat- local coalition, the Roanoke Public Libraries (RPL) ing data from local social service agencies. This has have partnered with the Roanoke Redevelopment helped to clearly establish community-wide bench- and Housing Authority (RRHA) better to meet marks to measure progress on a range of issues. To the needs of children living in public housing. As a inform its messaging and engagement with parents, result of its work, Roanoke has seen the following the coalition organized Community Conversations outcomes: In the fall of 2012, 78.8 percent of Title focus groups with parents. As a result of its GLR I kindergartners met or exceeded school readiness

36 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 37 criteria, compared with 80.4 percent in the fall of of ROC the Future, has established and maintained 2016. For the 2012–13 school year, 13.6 percent a laser-like focus on ensuring sustained educational of first graders in Title I schools were chronically equity, fostering relational capacity, nurturing absent, compared with 11.9 percent in the 2015–16 innovation, building coherence and establishing school year. Roanoke launched a new summer learn- accountability in serving all students and families. ing program in all 14 of its Title I schools in 2013. As a result, the community reduced the percentage Since that time, the percentage of first graders who of chronically absent K–3 students from 37 percent maintained or improved their performance over in 2013–14 to 28 percent in 2015–16. Additionally, the summer months increased from 81.6 percent the percentage of low-income third graders who reg- to 85.9 percent. In the same timeframe, the overall ularly attended summer school and who maintained percentage of third graders reading proficiently in or gained in reading over the summer rose from 46.8 all 14 Title I elementary schools increased from 60.5 percent in 2015 to 54.2 percent in 2016. Also, the percent to 70.6 percent. percentage of low-income third graders who met the grade-level reading standard rose from 4.4 percent in 2014 to 6.6 percent in 2016. ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

The GLR Campaign and National Civic League SALT LAKE (CLEARFIELD, KEARNS, PARK CITY & recognize Rochester, New York, as a 2017 finalist for SOUTH SALT LAKE), UTAH the All-America City Awards. A two-time winner of an AAC Award, Rochester is cited for reporting The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and measurable progress in school attendance, summer National Civic League recognize Salt Lake City, learning and overall grade-level reading for children Utah, and the surrounding communities of from low-income families, as well as for exemplary Clearfield, Kearns, Park City and South Salt Lake as efforts in promoting civic engagement and inclusive- a 2017 finalist for the All-America City Awards. Salt ness. The City of Rochester led the development Lake is cited for reporting measurable progress in of a collaborative, community-wide third-grade school readiness, summer learning and overall grade- reading initiative known as ROC the Future, aimed level reading for children from low-income families, at promoting alignment and focusing community as well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic resources to improve the academic achievement of engagement and inclusion. A broad coalition of 37 children in the city. ROC the Future’s efforts are businesses, government institutions, faith groups, supported by over 60 partners across the community nonprofit organizations, school districts and institu- that participate in one or more of six workgroups tions of higher education comprise the Promise Part- (“Collaborative Action Networks,” or CANs), which nership Regional Council (PPRC), which is working guide their work along the cradle-to-career con- collectively to improve outcomes for children in the tinuum. Notably, ROC the Future has an impressive four-school-district region. The partnership includes Convener Board that includes executives from 27 full-service community schools that address stu- organizations that have contributed funding, in-kind dent and family needs as well as integrated service services, backbone support, advocacy and influence. delivery in several low-income housing communi- Two key recent achievements include the addition of ties. There, coalition members respond to the needs two new foundations and $1 million in private fund- of refugee and immigrant youth by assisting new ing, as well as a $12 million Early Pre-K grant. The arrivals with academics, quality out of school time Rochester City School District, a critical member and parent engagement. School readiness data from

38 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 39 Granite School District reflect an increase from 46 collaborators collectively working toward improving percent of low-income kindergartners ready at the school readiness, school attendance and grade-level beginning of the year in 2012–13 to 47.4 percent reading proficiency. Through the campaign, San ready at the beginning of the year in 2015–16. In Antonio was able to coordinate and integrate varied 2016, the Elementary Reading Network worked resources of dozens of committed partners to make with teachers and afterschool providers to pilot high- a measurable community impact that is sustainable quality literacy instruction during summer months. and scalable. The community uses the Early Devel- This framework for integrated summer program- opment Instrument (EDI) to assess and track school ming eliminated summer learning loss for students readiness. Results from 2012 to 2015 reflect major who participated for 20 or more days. Low-income improvements in all EDI domains among kinder- students in Granite School District have realized a garten students from low-income families, including 6 percent increase in third-grade reading, from 50 those in every public housing community in the percent in the 2013 school year to 56 percent in city. The community also reported a slight increase 2015. The collective efforts of the many partners in overall grade-level reading during the same time engaged in improving conditions for students and period: 66 percent of third-grade students from low- their families are clearly driving the noteworthy income families scored “satisfactory” on the STAR education improvements happening throughout the reading assessment in the spring of 2012, while 67 Salt Lake region. percent scored “satisfactory” in the spring of 2015.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS

The GLR Campaign and National Civic League The GLR Campaign recognizes Springdale, Arkan- recognize San Antonio, Texas, as a 2017 finalist sas, as a 2017 finalist for the All-America City for the All-America City Awards. A five-time AAC Awards. Springdale is cited for reporting measur- Awardee, San Antonio is cited for reporting measur- able progress in school readiness, school attendance, able progress in school readiness and overall grade- summer learning and overall grade-level reading, level reading for children from low-income families, as well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic as well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic engagement and inclusiveness. The Springdale engagement and inclusiveness. The City of San Grade-Level Reading Coalition has made parent Antonio, Department of Human Services (DHS) engagement and cultural competency a staple of and Pre-K 4SA, in partnership with United Way’s their work. When OneCommunity Reads, UnaCo- ReadyKidSA Coalition, the P–16 Plus Council munidad Leyendo! launched in 2013, its goal was of Greater Bexar County, San Antonio Housing to improve kindergarten readiness and grade-level Authority, local school districts and numerous reading by increasing the parent and community community organizations are merging resources to involvement of Hispanic and Marshallese families in help San Antonio’s young children follow the path the Springdale area. The foundation of the initiative to educational success. Cross-sector collaboration, is Parents Taking Leadership Action (PTLA), which community outreach, engagement, diversity and believes parents have gifts and talents to contrib- inclusiveness are key to San Antonio’s GLR Cam- ute to their child’s school and community and are paign, which reaches over 51,000 low-income chil- the primary leaders of their children and family. dren across 15 local school districts. Historically, the Through PTLA, parents meet weekly and engage in City of San Antonio has had a strong cross-sector of music and interactive lessons aimed at strengthening

40 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 41 parent-school communication, increasing edu- a Community Data Warehouse, a universal pre-K cational awareness and enhancing the leadership curriculum with professional development and potential among parents from diverse populations. coaching support for local early childhood organiza- A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY, NOW FROM HOME The classes are facilitated in Spanish. As a result of tions (public schools and private providers), and a these efforts, Springdale reports measurable progress, funder collaborative. To inform outreach to parents, WHEN OUR COMMUNITIES as follows: The average percentage of kindergart- the coalition organized multiple focus groups with THRIVE, SO DO WE. ners in three elementary schools scoring developed parents. These focus groups helped provide insights across all six domains on the Qualls Early Learning into the messaging challenges of reaching parents, Inventory increased from 38.5 percent in 2012–13 leading to creation of a text-messaging campaign. As to 45.3 percent in 2015–16. The percentage of first a result, 1,500+ families signed onto the campaign graders at Monitor who were chronically absent that shares “cool things for families to do together.” decreased from 24 percent in 2012–13 to 10 percent As a result of the work of the local GLR effort, the in 2015–16. The percentage of rising first through percentage of K–3 students who were chronically fourth graders at the George and Jones elementary absent declined from 18.2 percent in 2012–13 to schools who did not experience loss of literacy 14.6 percent in 2015–16. The percentage of rising during the bilingual Feed Your Brain summer pro- third graders participating in a summer learning gram increased from 81 percent in 2014–15 to 89 program who maintained or improved their read- percent 2015–16. The percentage of third grade stu- ing level during the summer increased from 76.7 dents who were reading at grade level increased from percent to 83.4 percent between 2012 and 2016. In 35 percent in 2012–13 to 36.5 percent in 2015–16. addition, Springfield also saw an 11 percent increase in third graders scoring proficient in reading from 2014–15 to 2015–16. SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

The GLR Campaign and National Civic League rec- STOCKTON-SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA ognize Springfield, Massachusetts, as a 2017 finalist for the All-America City Awards. Having previ- The GLR Campaign and National Civic League ously won an All-America City Award, Springfield recognize Stockton-San Joaquin County, California, is cited for reporting measurable progress in school as a 2017 finalist for the All-America City Awards. attendance, summer learning and overall grade-level Having previously won the AAC Award twice, The Internet belongs in the home. It has Since the program’s launch in 2011, Internet the power to connect individuals to a world SM reading for children from low-income families, as Stockton-San Joaquin County is cited for reporting Essentials has helped 750,000 households of knowledge and opportunities, including get connected. And we couldn’t do it well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic measurable progress in school attendance and overall greater access to education, healthcare, without our amazing partner organizations. engagement and inclusiveness. Springfield’s Read- grade-level reading for children from low-income employment, news, and information. Together we can bring the Internet home to ing Success by 4th Grade (RS4G) is a collaborative families, as well as for exemplary efforts in promot- even more individuals across the country and SM initiative spearheaded by a coalition that includes ing civic engagement and inclusiveness. In 2012, Internet Essentials from Comcast brings help transform even more lives. affordable, high-speed Internet home for the Springfield Public Schools, the early childhood just after the City of Stockton declared bankruptcy, $9.95 per month. Households may qualify Visit InternetEssentials.com/Partner to education community (including center-based the University of the Pacific and a coalition of 50 if they have at least one child who is eligible learn more. and family child care), the business community, community partners from the education, business, for the National School Lunch Program or legislators and community organizations such as health, government, nonprofit, arts, faith, law- if they receive HUD housing assistance. the Springfield City Library, Springfield Museums, enforcement and media sectors launched the Beyond WGBY Public Television, the housing authority and Our Gates Reading by Third campaign. The coali- medical and behavioral health providers, as well as tion has implemented a variety of creative strategies the funding community. The coalition has created and programs. For example, in collaboration with

42 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 43 First 5, the coalition has hosted special trainings — multisector coalition involving not-for-profits, and provided mini-grant funding — for Black faith government agencies, faith-based organizations, communities interested in supporting early literacy businesses, individuals and the media. SCGLR through story times, messages from the pulpit works to regionally align funding priorities, data col- and other measures. The coalition has supported lection and sharing, and key strategies of the GLR Stockton’s Pride Festival, distributing inclusive Campaign. To strengthen parental engagement, the children’s books — with stickers and bookmarks campaign went deep into the community, recruit- offering literacy tips — to hundreds of participants. ing 300 families to participate in a pilot of Vroom, Volunteer readers visit housing authority sites to and is now spreading Vroom widely throughout lead story times and craft activities. In the summer the region. A two-generation approach is evident in of 2015, the local public transportation agency, San Sarasota County in four Title 1 schools as parents Joaquin Regional Transit District, launched Books attend Parent University, taking courses based on on Buses, placing capsule libraries of high-quality their needs. A community-wide messaging campaign children’s books on previously underused luggage including a poster contest to increase awareness on racks. Children and families can borrow books to the importance of attendance saw a reduction in read together on one bus trip (where they might also chronic absenteeism among targeted students of notice literacy-promoting bus ads), and return them three percentage points in both counties. The two- on the next. Countywide efforts to raise awareness county focus also has accelerated and strengthened of attendance-related issues has led to a reduction of community-wide efforts to improve third-grade chronic absenteeism from 9 percent to 6.9 percent. reading scores. The percentage of third graders read- Similarly, the number of low-income third graders ing at grade level increased, for example, from 3 to 4 who were reading at grade level increased from 20 percentage points in three Title 1 elementary schools percent in 2015 to 23 percent in 2016. in Sarasota from 2015 to 2016, and overall from 67 percent to 80 percent in five Title 1 elementary schools in Manatee County. SUNCOAST (MANATEE & SARASOTA COUNTIES), FLORIDA

The GLR Campaign and National Civic League SYRACUSE, NEW YORK recognize the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR), covering Manatee and Sarasota The GLR Campaign and National Civic League Counties, Florida, as a 2017 finalist for the All- recognize Syracuse, New York, as a 2017 finalist for America City Awards. SCGLR is cited for reporting the All-America City Awards. Syracuse is cited for measurable progress in school attendance and overall reporting measurable progress in school readiness, grade-level reading for children from low-income school attendance, summer learning and overall families, as well as for exemplary efforts in promot- grade-level reading for children from low-income ing civic engagement and inclusiveness. SCGLR was families, as well as for exemplary efforts in promot- formed in 2015 with the support of The Patterson ing civic engagement and inclusiveness. Following Foundation, when Sarasota County, under the lead- an extensive community engagement planning ership of the Community Foundation of Sarasota process in 2008, a Literacy Coalition was formed. County, and Manatee County, under the leadership The GLR effort in Syracuse and Greater Onondaga of United Way of Manatee County, both agreed to County is led by an over 200-member coalition adopt a regional approach to the Campaign’s solu- composed of representatives of large community tions areas. SCGLR has built a strong collaborative institutions, foundations, school districts (especially

44 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 45 6 -TIME ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD WINNER

25 COMMUNITY PARTNERS

46 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 47 the Syracuse City School District), local govern- a coalition including the education and community ments and businesses, coupled with the emergence foundations, the health and human services depart- of an Early Childhood Alliance and Greater Syra- ment, the school district, organizations working in Glad to be in cuse HOPE. Outreach to immigrant and refugee early childhood development, educators and parents. populations has been strengthened through collabo- Efforts to address attendance-related issues have been rations with InterFaith Works and Catholic Chari- markedly successful. The percentage of low-income ties (refugee resettlement agencies); the Hispanic students who were chronically absent decreased from population through the Spanish Action League, 11 percent of students in TK (Transitional Kinder- RecognizedGladstone in 2008 for Civic Engagement and Community Based Strategic Planning MANOS, and La Casita Library; as well as ACTS, garten) through third grade in 2011–12 to 8 percent which is a grassroots interfaith network. Syracuse in 2015–16. As part of the campaign strategy to is also implementing Dolly Parton’s Imagination address summer learning losses in low-income Gladstone Library program, a key element of its local GLR neighborhoods, trained teachers have offered literacy campaign that has expanded countywide. The programming in five low-income neighborhoods Syracuse Housing Authority implemented a door- (mobile home parks and apartment complexes) and to-door campaign to sign up children living in are serving over 100 students each summer. Infus- public housing for the Imagination Library’s free ing literacy into existing summer programming is book program. As a result of its efforts, in 2014–15, another strategy deployed by the campaign. At the 44.9 percent of low-income kindergartners scored start of each summer, school district literacy coaches ready for school, compared with a baseline of 43 conduct a training with frontline summer camp staff 2008 percent scoring ready in 2013–14. Chronic absence (Parks and Recreation, Boys & Girls Club) on how was reduced among K–3 students living in extreme to incorporate literacy activities into their existing poverty census tracts from 43.7 percent in 2013–14 camp structure. The public libraries are also a part- Gladstone, MO -- to 40.8 percent in 2015–16. In 2014, 46.5 percent ner and coordinate rotating lending libraries for the K–3 students living in extreme poverty census tracts various summer camps. The school district offers a experienced summer learning loss, compared with summer school program, Summer Scholars, to assist a community with: 43.4 percent in the summer of 2015. In 2012–13, students with the greatest needs in reading. Third- • New Trails for Biking 7.5 percent of low-income third graders living in grade students who attended Summer Scholars dem- and Walking extreme poverty were reading at or above grade level, onstrated average growth of .4 Independent Reading compared with 11.5 percent in 2015–16. Levels (IRLs) over the summer. In overall grade-level • A Community Center reading, the percentage of third graders who scored for Family Fitness proficient increased from 50 percent in 2014–15 to TAHOE TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA 51 percent in 2015–16. • A Public Art Program in the The GLR Campaign and National Civic League Emerging Downtown recognize Tahoe Truckee, California, as a 2017 WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA finalist for the All-America City Awards. Tahoe • New Luxury Living Truckee is cited for reporting measurable progress The GLR Campaign and National Civic League in school attendance, summer learning and overall recognize Wake County, North Carolina, as a 2017 •An Out Door Entertainment Venue grade-level reading for children from low-income finalist for the All-America City Awards. Wake families, as well as for exemplary efforts in promot- County is cited for reporting measurable progress ing civic engagement and inclusiveness. In response in school readiness, school attendance and summer to a compelling need to address grade-level reading, learning for children from low-income families, www.gladstone.mo.us the Tahoe Truckee Reads campaign was created by as well as for exemplary efforts in promoting civic Congratulations to all of the 2017 All-America City Finalists. 48 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 49 engagement and inclusiveness. WAKE Up and Read All-America City Award winner, Worcester is cited (WUAR), Wake County’s locally branded GLR cam- for reporting measurable progress in summer learn- paign, encompasses a broad coalition that includes ing and overall grade-level reading for children from businesses, Chambers of Commerce, the public low-income families, as well as for exemplary efforts library, the school system and numerous nonprofit in promoting civic engagement and inclusiveness. organizations including Motheread Inc., Marbles The Worcester Grade-Level Reading Initiative lever- Kids Museum, Reach Out and Read, WakeEd ages numerous community partnerships to drive Partnership, Books Are Magic and the Wake PTA action and measurable progress: In 2012, 60 percent Council. The effort has incorporated a strategy that of children participating in Worcester’s Summer Lit- builds children’s home libraries to promote reading eracy Initiative maintained or gained in their DIEB- and combat summer learning loss, coupled with ELS reading scores and by the summer of 2015 the literacy training for families and educators. Families percentage had reached 74 percent. In grade-level are enrolling in Ready4K, a literacy texting support, reading, the percentage of third graders at Tatnuck at pediatric offices and clinics, public and private Elementary School who scored proficient or higher pre-K classrooms, and a partnership to prevent on the MCAS increased from 35 percent in 2013 to homelessness. WUAR is also initiating partner- 46 percent in 2016, coinciding with the opening of ships with barber shops to spread messages about an in-school community library branch and a “Read the importance of reading. The local campaign 20” messaging campaign. Notably, Worcester is the works with partners, including the school system, to leading city for refugee settlement in Massachusetts identify higher-needs communities and schools to with more than 40,000 foreign-born residents. concentrate services to those children who need it Through partnerships with a coalition of immi- most. This aligns with other public services, such as grant communities, education organizations and Wake County Human Services. Countywide results the Worcester Public Schools (WPS), the Worcester in school readiness are impressive: The percentage of Institute for Parent Leadership in Education was incoming kindergarten students in all Title I elemen- launched last fall with 50 parents graduating by tary schools scoring proficient or above went from December. Providing contextual information for 22 percent in 2014–15 to 34 percent in 2016–17. immigrant and refugee families is critical. Worcester Additionally, chronic absence among K–3 students Family Partnership hosts playgroups for families in Title I schools supported by WUAR decreased at area laundromats, along with a meal and free from 9.5 percent in 2014–15 to 7.5 percent in laundry, helping to build community ties while also 2015–16. Among rising first- and second-grade stu- creating access points for young children to engage dents in the targeted Title I schools, summer learn- with educators and the school system. Another com- ing losses were reduced from 22 percent in 2015 to munity initiative led by UMass Memorial Medical 10 percent in 2016. Center, WPS and others identifies meaningful inter- ventions for students with asthma to reduce some of the health determinants that contribute to chronic WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS absenteeism. Services include focused medical treat- ment and prevention as well as legal aid for home Lakewood The GLR Campaign and National Civic League environmental mediation. recognize Worcester, Massachusetts, as a 2017 final- ist for the All-America City Awards. A five-time

2016 • 2011

50 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd nationalcivicleague.org / www.allamericacityaward.com / 51 NEXT STEPS

m Share the Denver experience with members of your community

m Join the upcoming webinar Supporting Parent Success: Applying What We Know to What We Do the week of June 26. Register at glrhuddle.org/webinar

m Make plans to participate in Summer Learning Day on July 13. To learn more and get involved, go to summerlearning.org

m Attend the next GLR Webinar: Leveraging the Momentum from Grade-Level Reading Week, July 27 at 3 p.m. ET. Register at glrhuddle.org/webinar

m Celebrate Attendance Awareness Month in September. To learn more and take action, go to awareness.attendanceworks.org

MORE TO-DOS:

visitdecaturga.com Visitors Center 113 Clairemont Ave. |

52 / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd

decatur-all-america-cities-2017.indd 1 5/3/17 9:18 PM ©2016 Southwest Airlines Co. Airlines Southwest ©2016

Without a Heart, it’s just a machine.

d / gradelevelreading.net / @readingby3rd