At an assembly, students and staff at Grandville Public School’s Central Elementary received a Literacy Leader Award recognizing their reading skills improvements with a tribute from lawmakers, and a $1000 donation from TalentFirst, an alliance of West Michigan business leaders dedicated to improving talent development in the area. Lisa Hungerford is their Director of Education Innovation.
“Knowing that over 60% of students in the state of Michigan aren’t reading at grade level in third grad is concerning four our economy, for our thriving West Michigan.”
Although last school year’s statewide M-STEP results showed only 39% of third graders scored as proficient or advanced for reading, TalentFirst worked to highlight those setting a positive example with literacy coaches, field instructors, detailed programs and assessments.
“And its showing outcomes, and we know if some schools can do it, all schools can do it.”
Six schools in the 13-county West Michigan region are being awarded for achieving higher M-STEP scores and outperforming peers with similar economic status.
The other five are Shettler Elementary in Fruitport, Glenwood Elementary in Kentwood, Walnut Hills in Greenville, Cross Creek and Vanderbilt Charter Academies.
