Family Focus

Less than half of Mecklenburg County third-graders are reading at grade level

TV-64 is teaming up with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to help improve student learning and literacy. In Mecklenburg County, less than half of all third-graders are reading on grade level. 
Third grade is known as a key turning point, and believe it or not experts say kids reading on grade level at third grade can actually be an important indicator of their future success.

"There's a lot of studies that show that if you can read on grade level by the end of third grade, you have a higher likelihood of being able to graduate from high school," Dana Eure, associate director of Lifelong Learning Charlotte Mecklenburg Library said.  "If you're not reading to grade level by the end of third grade, your likelihood of graduating on time drops."

You can help put books in the hands of kids in our community by donating to our 64U Books for Kids drive. You can donate new or gently used books for children and teens at any Charlotte Mecklenburg Library location until April 22, or stop by our studios Wednesday, April 18th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and meet the Eyewitness News team!  More information is available by clicking here and visiting www.64UBooksForKids.com