Children who missed the most preschool were the ones whom experts believe to be the most in need of the boost that a high-quality, early-childhood program provides. They include children with disabilities, homeless children, andthose whose families qualify for welfare payments.
The Kansas Reading Roadmap initiative, launched in 45 schools last year, includes summer and after-school reading support, family-engagement initiatives, and training to help educators analyze student data and learnabout research-based reading programs.
In January 2014, more than 33 percent of “students in need,” or students identified as having deficiencies in fundamental reading skills, required intensive intervention, compared with 22 percent in the fall.
The 1,500-student Pittsburgh, Kan., elementary school district has also seen steeper gains in reading skills for students in special education.
