Healthy development and quality early learning experiences between birth to age 8, whether in formal or informal learning environments, prepare children to enter kindergarten ready to learn and reach reading proficiency by the end of third grade, a critical benchmark in assuring student success. Reading is the most crucial academic skill because it is the foundation for learning.

Through third grade children are learning to read; after third grade students read to learn. Without a strong foundation in reading, children are left behind at the beginning of their education and are 4 times more likely not to graduate from high school than children who read at grade level at the end of third grade.

The entire community plays a role in and benefits from transforming children into educated, healthy, independent adults and UWSM unites schools, businesses, community organizations, and individuals to support school readiness and reading and reduce barriers for historically disadvantaged children.