3rd Grade Level Reading Memorandum of UnderstandingMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO Michael C Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM Cindy Steinhauser,Assistant City Manager
DATE March 5, 2012
SUBJECT 3rd Grade Level Reading Memorandum of Understanding
Dubuque
had
NI- America City
'I 1 1 I'
2007
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council approval of the attached Memorandum of Understanding
regarding 3rd Grade Level Reading All- America City Award
BACKGROUND
In August 2011 the National Civic League announced the criteria for the 2012 AII- America City (AAC) Award Included in this
announcement was news of a partnership between the National Civic League, the U S Conference of Mayors, America's
Promise Alliance and the Council for a Strong American to focus attention on the issue of 3rd Grade Level Reading This
national movement to focus on grade -level reading responds to a study that shows children who don't read well by the end of
third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers When coupled with issues of poverty,
children are 13 times more likely not to finish high school In October 2011 the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
(CFGD) submitted a letter a letter of intent in partnership with the City of Dubuque and the Every Child Every Promise
(ECEP) board to apply for an AAC Award focused around 3rd Grade level reading
DISCUSSION
Since October2011 representatives from the City, CFGD, Dubuque Community School District, institutions of higher learning
and many partner agencies met to develop an AAC award application around 3rd Grade Level reading Specifically this
application must include a Community Solutions Action Plan (CSAP) that addresses 1) School readiness, 2) School
attendance, and 3) Summer learning Within each of these three areas of the CSAP the community must address six
assurances including 1) Assurance #1 Identify the problem based upon data rich information, 2) Assurance #2 identify
desired outcomes and impact, 3) Assurance #3 outline the community's strategy with emphasis on integration and
coordination, 4) Assurance #4 identify connections to support or leverage other community efforts, 5) Include data -based
performance measurement, and 6) Assurance #6 success and sustainabihty- how will the effort have broad based support,
capacity and resources to succeed and endure This application is schedule to be submitted on Friday, March 9, 2012
Key to our application is the submittal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that shows there is broad -based support
from the public and private sectors for the 3rd Grade level reading CSAP Attached is a MOU that was prepared by the 3rd
Grade Level Reading committee for consideration by partners who are key to the success of this initiative In signing the
MOU the city agrees to
A Support the Community Solutions Action Plan (CSAP) developed and submitted to the All- America City Award, by
identifying and implementing strategies appropriate to the organization
B Seek to partner and support the community goals and objective identified in the CSAP
C Report and share data that support the shared measurement goals identified in the CSAP
D Support joint communication efforts including regular participation in Coalition meetings, newsletters, web tools, and press
communication
This agreement is in effect through the 2014 -15 school year, upon with time the MOU can be updated, extended or ended
RECOMMENDATION
The requested action is for City Council to approve the 3rd Grade level reading MOU
CC
Eric Dregne, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Nicole Johnson, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 3rd Grade Level Reading Memorandum of Understanding
DATE: March 6, 2012
Dubuque
bierd
All-America City
1
2007
In August 2011 the National Civic League announced the criteria for the 2012 All -
America City Award. Included in this announcement was news of a partnership
between the National Civic League, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, America's Promise
Alliance and the Council for a Strong American to focus attention on the issue of 3rd
Grade Level Reading. This national movement to focus on grade -level reading
responds to a study that shows children who don't read well by the end of third grade
are four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers. When
coupled with issues of poverty, children are 13 times more likely not to finish high
school. In October 2011 the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque submitted a
letter of intent in partnership with the City of Dubuque and the Every Child Every
Promise board to apply for an AII- American City Award focused around 3rd Grade level
reading.
Key to the application is the submittal of a Memorandum of Understanding that shows
there is broad -based support from the public and private sectors for the 3rd Grade level
reading Community Solutions Action Plan. In signing the Memorandum of
Understanding, the City agrees to:
A. Support the Community Solutions Action Plan developed and submitted to the
AII- America City Award, by identifying and implementing strategies appropriate to
the organization.
B. Seek to partner and support the community goals and objective identified in the
Community Solutions Action Plan.
C. Report and share data that support the shared measurement goals identified in
the Community Solutions Action Plan.
D. Support joint communication efforts including regular participation in Coalition
meetings, newsletters, web tools, and press communication.
This agreement is in effect through the 2014 -15 school year, upon with time the
Memorandum of Understanding can be updated, extended or ended.
Assistant City Manager Cindy Steinhauser recommends City Council approval of a
Memorandum of Understanding regarding 3rd Grade Level Reading All- America City
Award.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligan
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
2
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Preliminary 3rd Grade Reading Coalition
March 1, 2012
Attachment 1
In order to improve 3rd Grade Reading Achievement in Dubuque, Community Based Organizations
(CBO's), colleges /universities, local government agencies, schools and philanthropy have joined together
to address summer learning loss, school attendance, and school readiness. This preliminary MOU is
between members of the 3rd Grade Reading Coalition.
Members of the coalition agree to:
A. Support the Community Solutions Action Plan (CSAP) developed and submitted to the All -
America City Award, by identifying and implementing strategies appropriate to the organization.
B. Seek to partner and support the community goals and objective identified in the CSAP.
C. Report and share data that support the shared measurement goals identified in the CSAP.
D. Support joint communication efforts including regular participation in Coalition meetings,
newsletters, web tools, and press communication.
This agreement is in effect through the 2014 -15 school year, upon with time the MOU can be updated,
extended or ended.
Signed,
CEO, Community Foundation of Superintendent
Greater D buque Dubuque Community Schools
Mayor
City of Dubuque
9
Regional Director
Four Oaks, Parents as Teachers
4 -H Youth Program Specialist Board President
Every Child /Every Promise
Iowa State University Extension
Assistant Professor of Education Executive Director
Dubuque County Early Childhood
Clarke University