Bright Futures
We aim to create opportunities for youth by making sure all children are prepared for school and achieve their reading goals.
Our Goal for 2030
Literacy proficiency and early learning are strong indicators of long-term success. Investing in early childhood education programs helps more children hit grade-level benchmarks.
By 2030, United Way of Story County will deliver 12,500 high-quality early childhood education opportunities through:
- Birth through third grade focus
- Quality, affordable child care
- Kindergarten readiness
- Expanding Iowa Reading Corps
- Summer learning experiences
Because of you
United is the Way We Create Bright Futures
Reading Proficiency
We aim to create opportunities for youth by making sure all children are prepared for school and achieve their third-grade reading goals. By working together with local organizations, we hope to pave the way for every child in Story County to succeed academically.
NOTE: Data from 2023 or most recent year available. While these indicators are not the only ways to assess reading proficiency in our community, these are data points that illustrate that there is a need in our goal area.
There is a significant gap in reading proficiency, especially at the third grade level in Story County:
- 23% of kindergartners are below fall literacy benchmarks
- 32% of third graders are not proficient
- 12% of eighth graders are not proficient
- 21% of eleventh graders are not proficient
Invest in high-quality, out-of-school learning programs with an emphasis on youth from birth through third grade. These programs include:
- Sliding scale fee spots at nonprofit childcare centers
- Iowa Reading Corps in-school tutoring program at local elementary schools
- Early childhood family and parent classes (pre-kindergarten)
- Summer learning and after-school programs
These strategic investments deliver tangible outcomes for Story County youth:
- 73% of students participating in Iowa Reading Corps exceeded target growth
- 80% of youth K-8 reported feeling a sense of belonging
- 83% of youth K-8 improved or maintained positive relationship skills
- 90% of students reported learning a new skill
School Readiness
We are here to help all kids get ready for kindergarten by offering programs and resources that support early learning. Our goal is to make sure every child in Story County has the skills they need to succeed in school.
NOTE: Data from 2023 or most recent year available. While these indicators are not the only ways to assess school readiness in our community, these are data points that illustrate that there is a need in our goal area.
Many children in Story County face challenges before ever stepping in a classroom:
- 9% of children under 5 years old are living in poverty
- 23% of kindergarteners are below fall benchmarks for early universal literacy screening measures
Help children and parents nurture a love for learning during early childhood development through:
- Access to basic needs
- Increate capacity of affordable, high-quality childcare at local childcare centers
- Provide resources and supports to families and caregivers that strengthen interactions and promote early learning in a home environment
- Partner with local childcare centers to offer employee recruitment and retention incentives
These strategic investments deliver tangible outcomes for Story County children and families:
- 55 new childcare slots were opened at partner centers
- 78% of childcare employees stayed in their positions
- 83% of children ages 0-5 improved proficiency in early literacy skills from pre- to post-assessments
- 129 caregivers were provided with information, training, tools, and resources
Bright Futures in Story County
High quality early childhood education programs foster essential cognitive, social, and emotional skills that set children up for long-term academic success. Beyond the classroom, children who access high quality early care are statistically more likely to graduate high school, earn higher wages, and build healthier lives.
Literacy proficiency is one of the greatest predictors of long-term stability. According to the Iowa Department of Education, nearly 1 in 3 Story County third graders did not meet grade-level benchmarks. To help more students achieve short and long-term success, UWSC invests in the evidence-based, one-on- one tutoring program through Iowa Reading Corps (IRC) program.
Story County Reads is an educational collaboration convened by United Way of Story County. Our collaboration includes a variety of stakeholders and organizations, from nonprofits, educational institutions, public libraries, and beyond.
Out-of-school and summer learning programs are crucial because they bridge this gap, keeping students’ minds active in high-quality, engaging educational environments. These programs ensure students return to the classroom confident, sharp, and ready to succeed.
Partner Agencies
