NEW MEXICO VOICES FOR CHILDREN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VERONICA GARCIA SAYS DEVELOPING LITERACY SKILLS IN CHILDREN HAS TO START MUCH EARLIER THAN THE THIRD GRADE. SHE SAYS RECENT INFORMATION SHOWS THAT 85 PERCENT OF LOW-INCOME KIDS CAN'T READ PROFICIENTLY BY THE TIME THEY REACH THE FOURTH GRADE IN NEW MEXICO. GARCIA TELLS US A KEY TO REVERSING THE TREND IS PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.
THE NUMBERS AREN'T MUCH BETTER FOR NEW MEXICO STUDENTS FROM HIGHER INCOME FAMILIES. THE DATA SHOWS 61 PERCENT OF THOSE KIDS ARE ALSO STRUGGLING TO READ PROFICIENTLY.
