Dayton, Montgomery County earn national recognition for reading proficiency

Dayton and Montgomery County have received the prestigious All-America City Award for progress in helping more young children achieve grade-level reading proficiency and early school success.

 

Dayton was one of just 15 communities nationwide to receive the award from the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and the National Civic League last week in Denver. 

"Organizations, educators, families and volunteers across our community have been working hard for progress in grade-level reading proficiency," said Mayor Nan Whaley. "The All-America City Award recognizes this collaboration to help our young children learn skills needed for success, regardless of income status." 

The 2017 All-America City Award winners are communities that have demonstrably "moved the needle" on outcomes for children from low-income families in at least two of the following community solutions areas: school readiness; school attendance; summer learning and/or grade-level reading.

 

To select the 15 awardees, a panel of judges examined the self-assessments from the 27 communities that were nominated as finalists.

Locally, initiatives including Preschool Promise, the BELL summer program, RTA's Read on the Bus, Dayton Metro Library's summer reading programs and the Junior League of Dayton have supported the community effort. In 2013, Mayor Whaley led the creation of the City of Learners initiative to advance early learning success and other goals. 

 

Dayton is now a three-time All-America City Award winner.

 

To learn more about the AAC Award criteria and the All-America City Award recipients, visit gradelevelreading.net/aacaward.