Why 3rd Grade Matters

Reading skills are a proven indicator of educational and professional success.  According to research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, “Reading proficiently by the end of the third grade is a crucial marker in a child’s educational development.  Failure to read proficiently is linked to higher rates of school dropout, which suppresses individual potential as well as the nation’s competitiveness and general productivity.”

More than just helping students become proficient readers, Opening Books, Opening Doors aims to instill in students a passion for reading and the desire to become lifelong learners.