Thursday, March 28, 2024

1 in 4 children in BC are not school-ready when they enter first grade

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It’s been said before and will be said again; today’s kids are the leaders of tomorrow.

Statistics show that many children in British Columbia who are kindergarten ready are more likely to have a foundation that supports future learning and better health; not only that, but students who are proficient in reading in the 3rd grade are more likely to graduate from high school.

On top of this, students who graduate high school are less likely to experience poverty, receive public assistance, or become involved in the criminal justice system.

Luckily, there are literacy and after-school programs in place funded by United Way which has helped kids like Nadine receive the boost she needed to catch up with her peers – now she’s on the road to success!

Nadine, 10, is a part of a United Way funded literacy program

“When I learned that my daughter, Nadine, was reading at a pre-K level in grade 2, it felt like a punch to the gut. I’m a single mother of four kids….I was so busy I didn’t realize she was floating under the radar,” said Jayce, Nadine’s mother.

There’s always a possibility that a child like Nadine who starts school without the skills required to succeed may never catch up.

3% of Canadian children have a learning disability – that’s the equivalent of one child in every school bus full of children, and 1 in 4 Grade 7 students on Vancouver Island do not have sufficient reading skills.

Early development – from childhood to young adulthood – is a strong predictor of future success. When kids grow up emotionally and socially healthy, it carves the way for a brighter future, benefiting our entire community. 

United Way invests in a network of local programs and services that help individuals be strong parents; ensures children are ready for school; builds positive role models and mentoring for children and youth; and assists youth to stay in school and transition to a meaningful work life.

By donating to United Way Greater Victoria, you’re not only helping solve the #UNIGNORABLE social issue of education inequality, you can help ensure that local kids get a good start in life.

United Way of Greater Victoria

Click here to donate today and help ensure no child gets left behind!

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