The Waterloo Region District School Board is pushing to make sure every student has the resources necessary to be reading at grade level by the end of Grade 2 through its "A Region That Reads Together" initiative.
The commitment is part of collaborations over the past two years between WRDSB staff members, the government and community organizations that identified three priority areas within the local education system.
Among them, not learning to read presented the biggest social detriment to students.
"We remain committed to supporting the academic success and well-being of all students," Mabel Williams, communications officer for WRDSB said in an email on behalf of the board.
"At WRDSB, we're focusing on the implementation of our Structured Literacy Multi-year Plan (SLMYP) and Board Equity and Improvement Plan, which outlines strategies to support students reading at grade level by the end of Grade 2."
Through the SLMYP, the board hopes to aid students in reaching their potential and provide pathways to meet their graduation goals.
While the plan spans all grades, a key indicator for ensuring academic success is having students reading by the end of Grade 2, the board says.
The latest Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) results from 2022-2023 show Grade 3 and 6 students in the region are in line with their provincial peers when it comes to reading. However, Grade 3 results improved when compared to 2021-2022, while Grade 6 reading slightly declined.
In total, 73 per cent of Grade 3 students met or exceeded reading results, with 84 per cent of Grade 6 students doing the same.
"The data shared by EQAO reinforces the strategies that we have been using are having the desired impact," Williams said.
"It also helps to guide us in better supporting students to achieve their full potential."
Through the initiative, the board wants to strengthen partnerships with the Early Learning & Literacy Alliance of Waterloo Region, The Child and Youth and Planning Table, along with cultural and religious organizations to inform families on literacy programs in the region.
"As a school board we are committed to supporting student achievement and well-being and know that community plays a role in helping students improve their literacy skills," Williams said.
"Through A Region That Reads Together, we are increasing awareness of literacy resources, programming and services available to students and families across the Waterloo region."
For more information on the program or to get involved visit wrdsb.ca.
