Essay
HF2322 SF2540, also known as the Minnesota Young Readers Club, seeks to close the gap with reading proficiency and literacy development for students who don’t meet grade level standards. It counters this issue by building home libraries for kids, a consistent monthly book delivery catering accessible and engaging books that promotes gradual improvement over time. All legislators should vote yes on HF2322 SF2540 because closing the gap of reading proficiency and literacy development creates smarter children, who become more successful students. In turn stronger and more capable citizens are developed, meaning an overall stronger society with a brighter future.
The Minnesota Young Readers Club is a program that timely and efficiently delivers books to kids Pre-K through 5th grade who are below reading level for their grade standards, with offered practical resources for assistance in the process. These deliveries will eventually contribute to building home libraries full of culturally and linguistically appropriate books to reflect the participating families. Data will be collected based on program participation, family engagement, and student reading outcomes. These metrics in turn will be presented in an annual report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over education”, with the hope to keep improving the program and expanding it toward the future.
When they start school, kids who have been in poverty tend to be set back when it comes to reading proficiency, and literacy development. A setback in development can come from limited educational resources, lack of exposure to vocabulary, and less parent involvement to answer questions and assist that curiousity. All these factors result in a gap in reading proficiency.
Tax payer dollars should definitely be used to fund this program. I see it as a return on investment, where this access to more engaging resources will lead to more educated youth that are more employable for higher-paying job opportunities. A bonus to that is there will be less reliance on government services, lightening the load on the government's budget. The government having more money is also good for the economy overall.
The Minnesota Young Readers Club helps to close the gap of reading proficiency and literary engagement in students that read at below grade level. Kids that may never have really had access to books or someone to instill those practices with. All this leads to a lack of those foundational skills that set you forward in life in a period where your brain is developing the most, without them it's a massive setback. So I ask, will you vote yes to the program, and help cultivate a brighter future?
CITES:
https://www.letsgolearn.com/education-reform/poverty-impacts-educational-outcomes/#:~:text=In%20reading%2C%20students%20from%20low,Hart%20&%20Risley%2C%202003).
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets-economy/090516/what-are-pros-and-cons-raising-minimum-wage.asp#:~:text=A%20boost%20to%20economic%20growth,to%20retailers%20and%20other%20businesses.
https://modellegislature.minnstate.edu/node/5586
https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/research-summaries/education-earnings.html
https://corwin-connect.com/2021/01/povertys-impact-on-reading/