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At least 4 killed in Oklahoma tornado outbreak; 10 shot outside Florida bar; AZ receives millions of dollars for solar investments; Maine prepares young people for climate change-related jobs, activism; Feds: Grocery chain profits soared during and after a pandemic.

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Ukraine receives much-needed U.S. aid, though it's just getting started. Protesting college students are up in arms about pro-Israel stances. And, end-of-life care advocates stand up for minors' gender-affirming care in Montana.

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More rural working-age people are dying young compared to their urban counterparts, the internet was a lifesaver for rural students during the pandemic but the connection has been broken for many, and conservationists believe a new rule governing public lands will protect them for future generations.

Reading G A P for California 4th-Graders

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Tuesday, January 28, 2014   

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The majority of California's fourth-graders aren't making the grade when it comes to reading. A new report finds only one in four California fourth-graders is reading at grade level.

According to Ted Lempert, president of Children Now, reading scores are a key predictor of long-term academic and economic success.

"We're seeing some of the consequences of that in today's economy," he said. "You know, (there are) a number of Californians who personally don't have the skills to get some available jobs that are out there, and that trend is only going to continue as jobs require more and more skills."

Governor Jerry Brown's proposed state budget includes the implementation of a new school-funding formula, as well as an increase in per-pupil spending for K-12 students. Lempert said however that California still places well below the national average for education spending.

He said the proposed budget also fails to include adequate funding for early learning and development programs, which are known to play a critical role in preparing all children for success in school.

"So while some very positive things have occurred, we really need to double down, not only ensuring that we do even more in terms of our education spending, but really start early," the Children Now president declared.

The 2014 California Children's Report Card released earlier this month by Children Now showed only half of the state's three- and four-year-olds are enrolled in preschool, with significant disparities by race and income.

Read the report at ChildrenNow.org.




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