Overview of the “Move 5 Kids” Initiative
What is the StriveTogether Accelerator Fund?
In 2017, Northfield successfully applied for the Strive Together Accelerator Fund. The goal of the fund is to help provide additional resources and support to accelerate progress in seeing more children achieve benchmarks on each community’s cradle-to-career continuum.
Why Grade Level Reading?
One of the benchmarks in Northfield is the goal that every child will read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade and the end of 6th grade. While great effort is underway, we still have work to do to reach this target. Originally, this focused initiative was piloted with the 3rd grade classrooms. As a result of incredible work by teachers, students, and families, Northfield saw an 11% increase in proficiency, as 68% of Northfield 3rd graders reached proficiency in reading on the MCA in 2019!
What is Our Collective Goal?
Our goal is to grow these grade level numbers by at least 4% per year over the coming years and to narrow the achievement gap seen by low-income and minority youth. Kindergarten through 5th grades are encouraged to apply to use Northfield Promise Funds to help support efforts that target students who are at-risk of not meeting grade-level reading proficiency. The more success students have at an earlier age, the closer we are to meeting the goal of EVERY child reading at grade level in Northfield. COVID has created new challenges for students and schools. The community is here to support you!
If each classroom in Northfield is able to move five kids to proficiency who are in the “moderate risk” or “high risk” cohorts after the fall assessments, we should collectively reach the goal!
Strong Schools + Supportive Community = Success
Teachers and schools undoubtedly play a critical role in making this possible. However, the community stands behind you! Through Northfield Promise, there are literally dozens of community stakeholders and partners who are willing to step forward to help more local children learn to read. From businesses to faith communities to the medical communities, partners are implementing additional strategies to help support early literacy in Northfield. We know that it really does take a village and we want to help! If there are other ways that the community can support you and your students in this work, please indicate it on the “Request for Assistance” form below.
**What resources do you need to help Move 5 students as they are learning at home?**
We’re committed to using the financial resources of Northfield Promise and the human power (via phone, email or internet) of our networks to be supportive of our teachers in this work. As you run into barriers or find you need help or resources throughout the coming weeks, we hope you’ll think of us. We are here to support you in this important work!