OPINION

Editorial: Boost reading skills by expanding preschool

Reading skills are vital. No one would argue that point.

That’s why it’s concerning that the number of early readers who are struggling here in Sioux Falls seems to be climbing.

Thirty-eight percent of Sioux Falls third-graders — almost two out of five — are reading below their grade level. And the problem has worsened slightly in the past two years in spite of laudable efforts by local educators and administrators to alter that trend.

There are many reasons why a child struggles with reading. Poverty, instability at home and individual learning challenges are among the contributing factors.

But one proven aid for early reading success is preschool, and South Dakota should do more to give children the opportunity to attend one.

Studies have shown that pre-kindergarten programs help children develop cognitive skills and enhance literacy, yet nearly two-thirds of all 3- and 4-year-olds in this state are not attending preschool, according to a report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

We are one of just 10 states that offer no public funding or support for pre-kindergarten services. If we’re serious about improving reading proficiency in this state, it is time for that to change.

Low-income families have access to the federally funded Head Start preschool program, but the waiting list across South Dakota stands at about 1,500 names.

Those who can afford private preschool programs and live in cities such as Sioux Falls where those options are available, can provide the early learning experience for their children.

The Sioux Falls School District, with funding from the Sioux Empire United Way, has a Preschool Opportunity Program. In its first year, the program helped 82 students and has been reauthorized for the coming year.

But the need is so much greater.

Some lawmakers have pushed for funding for public preschool programs in recent years, but the proposals have been defeated in Pierre.

In a state with a high-profile push for quality workers, shoring up the reading proficiency of our students should warrant some attention.

The Sioux Falls School Board is focused in on this problem — setting a goal that every student should be reading at grade level or above by the time he or she finishes third grade. Third- and fourth-grade reading scores are a predictor of high school graduation, college achievement and subsequent career success.

That goal hadn’t been met in this year’s review, so board members are asking for a full review and recommendations later this year on how to alter the disturbing downward trend.

We know that a reading support program, Reading Recovery, was a victim of budget cuts in recent years. Maybe it’s time to restore that effort.

Whatever the next steps become, the school board is taking the right approach in making reading proficiency a priority in Sioux Falls.

It’s time for the state to treat it as a priority as well, and we can start by helping make pre-kindergarten services available to more of our children.