Press Release: Montana’s Early Literacy Program Faces Participation Challenges
Montana’s inaugural state-funded early literacy program is experiencing lower-than-expected engagement in its first operational year. In response, the School Administrators of Montana (SAM) plans to provide vital training aimed at increasing participation. Originally launched for K-3 students to enhance reading skills, the program was expanded this year to include math literacy, though participation remains voluntary for schools and students.
Rob Watson, SAM’s executive director, highlighted the importance of aligning early literacy initiatives with subsequent grade curricula. He emphasized that comprehensive strategies extending from pre-K through third grade are essential for success. Watson noted stark participation disparities across regions—while nearly 70% of districts in north central Montana have adopted the program, only 5% in northeast Montana have done so, potentially linked to the availability of accredited teachers.
Alarmingly, research from Zero to Five Montana shows that fewer than half of the state’s school-age children read at or above their grade level, a critical predictor of future academic success. Last year, fewer than 2,000 of the approximate 11,000 eligible four-year-olds participated in the program. Watson advocates for improved training to address these concerns and boost literacy outcomes statewide.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
