Early literacy supporters look to get on same page as 3rd-grade requirement looms

Groups working to boost early literacy rates in Detroit are looking to get on the same page as a new state requirement nears for third-graders to read at grade level or be held back.

Skillman Foundation, Kresge Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and 313Reads — the Detroit brand for the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading, which is led by United Way for Southeastern Michigan and early childhood nonprofit Brilliant Detroit — are supporting and leading literacy-building efforts in the city.

“This is a big and important issue. … Lots of people should be working on it,” said Punita Thurman, program director for the Skillman Foundation in Detroit.