Why Third Grade?
Third grade reading proficiency is the most accurate indicator of high school graduation and future career success.
If a student cannot read proficiently by the end of third grade their likeliness of future academic success drops. Reading is the essential tool needed to continually grasp further concepts.
Right now, only about half of all students in Kansas City, MO are reading at grade level or above by the end of third grade. Turn the Page KC is addressing this by convening our community around this urgent issue.
Since Turn the Page KC was founded in 2011, the number of 3rd graders reading at grade-level and above has increased every year, enrollment in academic summer programs has quadrupled, and chronic student absenteeism has dropped 4%.
As a community, we have made progress, but there is still work to be done to ensure that every student can read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade and have a chance at a successful and productive future.
About
Our Team
Our History
Our History
Turn the Page KC was founded by then Mayor Sly James in 2011. We became a nonprofit organization with a volunteer board of directors in 2014. Our organization takes a collective impact approach to our work, working closely with over 100 partner organizations. Click here to learn more about our board of directors and staff.
Our History
Our History
Our History
Our mission is to mobilize the community to achieve reading proficiency at grade level or above for all third graders in Kansas City, Missouri. Turn the Page KC was founded by Mayor Sly James in 2011 as an initiative to raise the reading proficiency of third graders. In 2017, Kansas City was recognized as an All-American City for its progress on 3rd grade reading proficiency.
Our Plan
Our History
Our Plan
Since our founding in 2011, the number of third graders reading at grade-level and above has increased, enrollment in academic summer programs has quadrupled, and chronic student absenteeism has dropped. As a community, we have made progress, but there is still work to be done. We have partnered with MySidewalk to share our community's strategic plan.
Help Our Cause
Donate by Check: Make checks payable to "Turn the Page KC" and mail to 4049 Pennsylvania, Suite 301, Kansas City MO 64111.
Donate by Credit Card by visiting our online store.
Donations allow us to distribute 20,000 books annually to Kansas City children, families, and schools. With your support, we can continue to provide inclusive books to Kansas City school libraries and increase representation of characters of color.
OUR mission at work
