News
To request information or media contact with the Reading Roadmap, please contact Todd Fertig at todd@readingroadmap.org.
Reading Roadmap In The News
Statement from the Department for Children and Families and Hysell & Wagner, LLC: Official Press Release, March 23rd, 2020
Today, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and Hysell & Wagner, LLC, announced that they have entered into an agreement under which each party agrees that all issues with the 2014-15 draft audit are resolved. In August of 2019, the Kansas Reading Roadmap grant to Hysell & Wagner, LLC was cancelled as allowed under the grant. During announcement of the cancellation, certain preliminary findings from 2014-15 draft audit were shared. After both parties conducted due diligence, DCF and Hysell & Wagner, LLC now agree that none of the audit issues warrant further action. Hysell & Wagner, LLC appreciates the Agency’s efforts to resolve these matters and its decision to continue funding after-school reading programs directly with Kansas school districts. DCF thanks Hysell & Wagner, LLC for its years of work helping Kansas children. Neither party will have additional comment on the matter.
Summer school assists Camp Hope: Great Bend Post, July 1, 2019
While summer school in Great Bend focuses on essentials skills such as reading and math, students are also learning and practicing the concepts of community service and volunteerism.
Study: Afterschool programs help kids read at grade level: KSNT, June 24, 2019
According to new research, the key to making sure kids are reading at grade-level could be staying after school. Newly released data shows that after-school programs can help young students get up to speed.
Read Early and Often: Great Bend Tribune, June 13, 2019
Great Bend elementary schools are part of the Kansas Reading Roadmap, a program of after-school reading interventions to help children with early reading proficiency. Now, a study commissioned by the Reading Roadmap suggests programs such as this can lead to significant improvement among young, striving readers.
Kansas Reading Roadmap Summer School Keeps Math and Reading Skills Sharp: Onaga Herald, June 6, 2019
KRR summer program offers students many unique learning opportunities and can hep prevent the dreaded “summer slide.”
How the Reading Roadmap combats Summer Learning Loss: Danielle Norwood Program, WIBW Radio, Topeka, May 30, 2019
“Summer slide” can cost students several months of gains made during the school year. Reading Roadmap Director of Programs Tabitha Brotherton discusses how the program not only prevents summer learning loss, but helps students gain ground on their peers.
Past Media Coverage
KRR showcases local literacy programs: Garden City Telegram, April 24, 2019
World Book Day: After-school program celebrates reading: Great Bend Tribune, April 23, 2019
What is the Reading Roadmap?: Danielle Norwood Program, WIBW Radio, Topeka, Feb. 28, 2019
Building Better Readers Through Fun and Phonics: Walton Family Foundation, Feb. 19, 2019
Reading Roadmap Announcements and Releases
Statement from the Department for Children and Families and Hysell & Wagner, LLC
Today, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and Hysell & Wagner, LLC, announced that they have entered into an agreement under which each party agrees that all issues with the 2014-15 draft audit are resolved. In August of 2019, the Kansas Reading Roadmap grant to Hysell & Wagner, LLC was cancelled as allowed under the grant. During announcement of the cancellation, certain preliminary findings from 2014-15 draft audit were shared. After both parties conducted due diligence, DCF and Hysell & Wagner, LLC now agree that none of the audit issues warrant further action. Hysell & Wagner, LLC appreciates the Agency’s efforts to resolve these matters and its decision to continue funding after-school reading programs directly with Kansas school districts. DCF thanks Hysell & Wagner, LLC for its years of work helping Kansas children. Neither party will have additional comment on the matter.
Kansas Reading Roadmap Calls for DCF to Correct Misstatements
KRR today called upon Gov. Laura Kelly and Department for Children and Families (DCF) Sec. Laura Howard to retract statements made on Friday suggesting that Hysell & Wagner, LLC was paid improperly and falsely impugning the program and its results.
Study Shows Strong Relationship Between Afterschool and Early Reading Proficiency
A new study discovers a strong connection between attending afterschool reading interventions and a child’s early reading proficiency.
Fifty-six Teachers Honored by KRR as Outstanding Early Literacy Teachers
As part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, the Kansas Reading Roadmap (KRR) honored a teacher at 56 of their partner schools across the state. The KRR Outstanding Early Literacy Teacher award recognizes a teacher who contributes significantly to early literacy at their school.
Educators, Policy Makers Discuss Literacy Issues in Garden City: April 24, 2019
Rural Early Literacy Day on April 24 brought together representatives from a variety of organizations to highlight the successes and discuss the obstacles faced in improving literacy among children in Garden City.
The Kansas Health Foundation, the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce, Tyson Foods, Inc., Garden City Public Schools, and the Kansas Reading Roadmap (KRR) celebrated the efforts of various education, business and community organizations to improve literacy outcomes. Participants visited the Finney County Public Library, the Russell Child Development Center, and Buffalo Jones Elementary School.
Kansas State Board of Education Members and Candidates Polled on Early Literacy Issues: Oct. 12, 2018
The Kansas Reading Roadmap (KRR), serving as the statewide partner of the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading, announced today the responses of policy makers to a questionnaire on education issues.
The Early Literacy Roundtable, a collection of organizations committed to helping children in Kansas achieve grade-level reading and which includes KRR, released on Wednesday the results of a questionnaire in which candidates for the State Board of Education responded to questions about early education.
KRR honored with Storytime Village’s Literacy Legacy Award: Sept. 8, 2018
The Kansas Reading Roadmap (KRR) was celebrated by partners in early literacy for its work helping K-3 students across Kansas achieve grade-level reading skills.
Four elementary schools honored for K-3 reading results: Aug. 3, 2018
Four Kansas elementary schools were celebrated at a ceremony attended by Gov. Jeff Colyer last week for reaching a significant benchmark in reading despite high poverty.
Staff from the Kansas Reading Roadmap (KRR) programs at elementary schools in Chetopa, Concordia Neosho Rapids and West Bourbon were honored for achieving 80 percent of K-3 students reading at or above grade level, a goal for KRR programs set forth by the Technical Assistance Systems Network (TASN).
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback discusses the impact of the Reading Roadmap