What we see: Overall, less than 50% of all 3rd-grade students read at or above grade level over the past five years in the Lansing School District. There was an overall drop in the proportion of 3rd graders reading at above grade level for 2019-2020.

Over the last five years, there were more Black 3rd grade students who were not reading at grade level than any other student group. There was an increase between 2016-2019, but we saw roughly a 5% drop in 2019-2020. This may be due to many factors, but a primary concern is the COVID-19 pandemic, which negatively impacts student success. Also, due to the pandemic, roughly about 70% of 3rd graders took the M-STEP test (the standardized testing to assess reading comprehension). See below for a more in-depth look at trends in reading levels for various racial/ethnic groups and a breakdown of the district's student body as of the 2019-2020 school year. 

White 3rd-grade students consistently read at or above grade level at higher rates than any other group, although their rates were still under 50%. Black and Hispanic 3rd-grade students between 2017-2019 have been consistently trending similarly. In 2017, more Asian 3rd graders were reading at grade level than any other student but saw a drastic decline in 2019. Each group saw an overall reduction in reading rate at or above grade level, possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ideally, there would be an overall increase towards 100% in the future with very little difference between groups. 

The Read by Grade 3 Law was passed in 2016; the retention component of the law was supposed to be implemented in 2019-2020 but wasn't because COVID-19 disrupted the M-STEP. Other parts of the law were implemented before 2019-2020, for example, literacy coaching and literacy diagnostic assessments.

(data source: Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) vis Mi School Data)

Literacy skills not only affect a child's reading comprehension or writing skills, but they can also impact other subjects such as math and science. Literacy skills can also affect children outside of their education and follow them throughout their lives. 

• Children who aren't reading proficiently by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. 
• Lower literacy skills can also lead to higher unemployment rates and low-paying jobs. 
• "Low literacy proficiency is a factor in the cost of health literacy. Those with lower reading proficiency will most likely have decreased ability to access health services and understand health risk."
• Overall, investing in childhood literacy can help lower its impact on society. “Low levels of literacy cost the U.S. an estimated $225 billion in workforce productivity losses, crime, and unemployment-related loss of tax revenue, according to ProLiteracy.”

Within the local context, the Lansing School District (LSD) has had a lower percentage of 3rd-grade students reading at grade level or above than statewide and across the Ingham Intermediate School District (ISD). The chart below shows the percentage of 3rd graders reading at or above grade level compared to 3rd graders statewide and across Ingham School Districts. 

A factor that may be contributing to other districts having more 3rd graders reading at grade level could be that they have access to more resources than LSD. Such as teachers being trained in (LETRS), a two-year study for K-12 educators, or better resources, such as social workers or other qualified individuals who provide students assistance.

• Universal pre-k
  • Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) and Head Start options, but access could still be expanded. 
  • Alternately, support the growing movement for 2-year (or Transitional) Kindergarten and different public grade that bridges preschool and kindergarten. 

• Invest in cradle-to-career systems 
  • Invest in cradle-to-career systems that support students' success from birth through job acquisition-investing in early childhood literacy increases the chances of a child not graduating from high school but also obtaining employment. 

• Allocate funds properly to schools throughout Ingham county to provide better resources 
  • Social workers and coaches can provide strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and emotional skills to help parents and teachers promote and implement child literacy strategies and skills. They can also offer one-on-one time with students who might be struggling in a classroom setting. 
  • Providing every school evidence-based curriculum such as (LETRS), a two-year study for K-12 educators. This will help guide teachers throughout their curriculum and have a baseline on how to approach literacy in their classrooms. 

• Better access to technology resources
  • Providing technology/internet is an excellent method to keep children engaged and continue offering different platforms or resources. Much of the schoolwork required today is required through online platforms, and economically disadvantaged children lack the opportunities through technology/the internet. “About 80% of children living in economically disadvantaged communities will lose reading skills over summer breaks due to a lack of access to books and other resources.”

• Support parents
  • Socioeconomic status and education affect literacy. "The NAEP reports that Black, Hispanic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students-defined as those who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch-score lower in reading at all levels in every reporting year." Socially disadvantaged households lack books or resources at home, have poor access to technology, and do not have the time to practice reading consistently; some parents also struggle with literacy due to many factors. Providing parents with better-paying jobs, time-off, and access to resources will positively affect their children's literacy. 
  • The Reading People is a local resource in Lansing that supports and assists in reading and writing. "CALC, though its small staff and volunteer tutors, provides free diagnostic testing and one-to-one instruction in reading and writing. Student goals are paramount and may include reaching grade level or job requirements for literacy, earning a GED, and preparing for citizenship testing."

• De-emphasize standardized testing
  • Since its creation, standardized testing has been used as a tool of white supremacy. It has disproportionately harmed and limited opportunities for students of color and those from low-income families. Standardized testing is not recommended or preferred before 4th grade because the younger the child, the less reliable or valid the results may be. Accessing literacy should have multiple indicators such as observation of proper reading techniques, writing, and early accessibility to health care screening for any hearing or vision issues that can affect a child's literacy. 

• The Peace and Prosperity Youth Action Movement (PPM) has been an evolving and supportive community for young people (age 12 through high school graduation) in Lansing who want to develop their leadership skills and create positive change in their community. The Lansing chapter of PPM has worked to promote early childhood literacy. They are currently working on an ongoing project at the Socialight Society to read to elementary school children to promote childhood literacy and provide resources such as free books. 

• The Education working group of Metro Lansing Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) is a team of community members, parents, and school staff who want to ensure quality education, care, and racial equity for all the youth of Lansing. Their priorities for providing justice and academic success include the following:
  • Develop caring classrooms using trauma-informed strategies that keep children safe and in school, promote racial and gender justice, address student needs and engage families. 
  • Adopt and fully integrate developmental discipline policies and strategies such as multi-tiered systems of support, social-emotional learning programs, and restorative justice practices. 
  • Implement hiring practices that result in faulty staff that better reflect the ratio of Black students in the school district and lead to a more equitable workforce. 

• The My Brother's Keeper and Girl's Equity Network (MBKGEN) network brings together local and statewide partners to leverage their collective power to meet racial equity milestones. These milestones center on ensuring equity and success at entering school, reading, graduating, continuing education, entering the workforce, and reducing violence for all children. 

Ways to get involved now:

• Check out the movement for the MI Breathe Act and a Lansing Breathe Act. Pursuing racial equity and justice in education institutions is just one of the many goals of the federal Breathe Act on which local Breathe legislation is based. Do you have an interest in shaping policy or making community interests known to those who do? Join a monthly Lansing People's Assembly to learn about and participate in crafting a Lansing Breathe Act. 

• If you are interested in racial equity and education in Lansing, join us in the city-wide process of Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT). The Education working group of Metro Lansing TRHT is a team made up of community members, parents, and school staff who want to ensure quality education, care, and racial equity for all the youth of Lansing. Follow the Metro Lansing TRHT Facebook page (@TRHT Lansing) for updates and information about joining. 

COMING SOON

It's one thing to see the data, but another to see how these indicators actually affect the lives of our friends and neighbors. We want to hear from you! The Voices of Lansing tab will be where residents can share their thoughts and stories about how an indicator has affected their lives. If you have a story or experience to share about your or your child's literacy success, open this survey and click on "share my story." We look forward to hearing your stories!