Close to Home: Our community must lead efforts to boost reading proficiency

A staggering 59% of our third grade students in Sonoma County are not reading proficiently. Learning to read by third grade is crucial; it marks the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. If a fourth grader does not know how to read at grade level, they will struggle to keep up with their peers in other subjects, including history, science and math.

Literacy is everything. A literate third grader is four times more likely to graduate from high school. Third graders who read proficiently are four times more likely to earn a high school diploma, according to education data. Additionally, proficient third grade readers are less likely to end up living in poverty and less likely to be involved in the criminal justice system, which has a significant positive impact on communities that prioritize literacy.

This challenge impacts all of us and must be met by everyone in Sonoma County. It is essential that educators act in alignment with the most current research related to reading, which is why the Sonoma County Office of Education is investing heavily in ensuring local educators are well versed in the science of reading. Additionally, educators must seek out creative solutions and explore both public and private partnerships. These partnerships can augment public resources at a time when school district budgets are declining, and nonprofits often operate with greater flexibility and speed than public institutions, allowing them to implement and adapt programs more rapidly in response to changing needs and circumstances.

K-3 Innovation — or K-3i — is one such partnership. They are a local nonprofit organization, responsible for starting the K-3 Proficiency Project here in Sonoma County. This private-public partnership works to ensure all students reach reading proficiency by the end of third grade.

We have already seen this partnership lead to success in Sonoma County schools. WestEd, an independent and well-respected research firm, assessed the program and concluded, “Students from all K-3 grades have demonstrated excellent growth and progress since Fall 2020. The K-3 proficiency project shows consistent and strong promise for having positive impacts on student reading outcomes.”

As Sonoma County superintendent of schools, Carter is thrilled with the strong public support for expanding the K-3 Proficiency Project from many respected community leaders who understand that literacy is a matter we should all be invested in solving.

Brett Martinez, president and CEO of Redwood Credit Union: “K-3PP really works. Reading early is an essential skill. Join us in supporting this program as reading is essential to success in life.”

Kathy Witkowicki, co-founder/CEO of the Sonoma Speaker Series: “K-3PP levels the playing field for students.”

Troy Sanderson, president and CEO of Exchange Bank: “We have a great program in the County with K-3PP. It targets each child individually.”

James Hall, owner of Patz & Hall Winery: “K-3PP is efficient and offers resources and support to teachers and students.”

Craig Nelson, chairman of Nelson Connects: “Great news, K-3PP works, and the data is compelling.”

This year, the K-3 Proficiency Project program is expanding to the Twin Hills District in Sebastopol and plans to expand to additional county schools in 2025. The financial support of the private sector and the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation is essential for expansion. The foundation designated K-3 Innovation as the major beneficiary of their Fund A Need at their annual Sonoma County Wine Celebration on Sept. 21 at Chateau St. Jean Winery.

We encourage you to join us at the event or contribute directly to our cause. We believe in the value of education. We want to continue to make a positive impact on our educators and students through this work. We ask the larger community to believe in this project as much as we do. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of Sonoma County’s children.

Amie Carter is superintendent of the Sonoma County Office of Education. Gary Nelson is co-founder of K-3 Innovation, a Sonoma County-based nonprofit.