As Arkansas educators hurry to maximize the number of third graders reading at grade level to meet a new requirement, AR Kids Read has been selected as the state lead organization for a national literacy effort.

That effort, the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, sees both reading proficiency by the end of third grade and development that is on track for children by the end of kindergarten as predictors of academic achievement and high school graduation, according to a news release from AR Kids Read issued Friday. The release describes both factors as "the first rung of the 'success sequence' that leads to employment and earnings."

AR Kids Read Executive Director Kathy French called the designation "both a tremendous honor and a call to action."

"Our goal is to strengthen collaboration w

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