Explanation
Success by Third Grade ensures that children have the supports needed to achieve third grade reading proficiency. Research confirms that third graders who are unable to read at grade level are among the most vulnerable to dropping out of school before graduating. Students not proficient in reading by the end of third grade were four times more likely to drop out of high school, and 88% of students who failed to earn a high school diploma had struggled to achieve third grade reading proficiency.
Success by Third Grade uses a collective impact approach, centered on parents, caregivers and students who are most in need of supports. United Way of Central Ohio has been asked by community and school district leaders to be the backbone agency to shepherd the work. Their role includes working with participants to identify gaps in service, understand potential solutions, and align and support needed programs and services. In addition to serving as a bridge between community and schools, United Way will tap into the core skills of communicating the issues and work to their network, rallying community support, bringing in resources, collecting and analyzing data, and improving the trajectory of young learners.
Funding will support the staffing and expenses necessary to coordinate and align a community wide undertaking of this magnitude.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available within the Recovery Fund.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Office of Education, on behalf of the office of the Mayor, to enter into a grant agreement with United Way of Central Ohio to implement Success by Third Grade; and to authorize an expenditure within the Recovery Fund. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Success by Third Grade ensures that children have the supports needed to achieve third grade reading proficiency; and
WHEREAS, research confirms that third graders who are unable to read at grade level are among the most vulnerable to dropping out of school before graduating. Students not proficient in reading by the end of third grade were four times more likely to drop out of high school, and 88% of students who failed to earn a high school diploma had struggled to achieve third grade reading proficiency; and
WHEREAS, funding will support the staffing and expenses necessary to coordinate and align a community wide undertaking of this magnitude; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Office of Education to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with United Way of Central Ohio; NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Education, on behalf of the office of the Mayor, is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a grant agreement with United Way of Central Ohio for the implementation of the Success by Third Grade program.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2209 in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 5: That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.