Building Bright Futures - Ready for Success

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The early childhood years set the stage for later success in school and life, but at-risk children are less likely to receive the supports they need to prepare them for success. Each year there are 10,000 live births in Douglas and Sarpy Counties. 3,500 of these infants are born into poverty. Of the 3,500 born in poverty:

Few will reach preschool or kindergarten ready to learn
About one-third will not be able to read or do math at grade level by mid-elementary school
Nearly half of this group will drop out of high school

By elementary school, academic failure is a strong possibility, as one-third of children born into poverty will not be able to read or do math at grade level by mid-elementary school. By the fourth grade, more than 1,000 students in the two-county area have not yet mastered basic reading skills and nearly 800 are below proficiency level in math.

In elementary school, attendance is critical for strong academic performance. Unfortunately, even some kindergarteners are chronically absent. National studies show that 15 percent of kindergarteners and 12 percent of first graders miss an average of 12 to 18 days per school year- far above the average of 5 days. Students with a high number of absences in kindergarten score lower on achievement tests at the end of first grade; early absences are particularly detrimental to the reading performance of low-income children.

COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Of the 3,500 children born into poverty each year, few will reach preschool or kindergarten ready to learn.

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By the fourth grade, more than 1,000 students in the two-county area have not yet mastered basic reading skills and nearly 800 are below proficiency level in math.