Governor Baker Cuts Reading Recovery Program

We received this from one of our members, and we reprint here as it is relevant to all of us:

You may have read Gov. Baker has cut all funding for Reading Recovery. Reading Recovery is the most successful Reading / Writing intervention nationwide. It provides 1:1 support for the lowest achieving 20% of 1st graders at the start of the year and offers an additional round of support for 1st graders later in the year.

If Gov. Baker succeeds in eliminating the funding for Reading Recovery — the burden of the cost will fall upon each school in Boston. BPS schools are already strapped for funds, valuable services to students have been cut. Schools that have Reading Recovery will be unable to find the work and opportunities in the future to expand Reading Recovery to new schools will not exist.

Please read more: Reading Recovery Works. In addition, I have provided everyone with simple steps ( see below) you can do now to let Gov. Baker and others know you do not support his decision to eliminate funding for this essentional Reading and Writing intervention.

Governor Baker’s office (reach them by phone at 617-725-4005 or online)

The House Ways and Means Chair Brian.Dempsey@mahouse.gov and Vice Chair Stephen.Kulik@mahouse.gov

The Senate Ways and Means Chair Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov and Vice Chair Sal.DiDomenico@masenate.gov

Senators and Representatives that will continue to advocate for us from our home and school districts

I (We) urge you to continue to have everyone you know to call and ask them to restore the $400,000 earmark for Reading Recovery in line item 7010-0033.

Thank you for making a call if you can. Every phone call helps.