1. Grade-Level Reading COMMUNICATIONS FOR DENVER MAY 3, 2012

2. The role of the communications lead Media outreach before and during the Denver conference Grade-Level Reading blog Video Contest Sessions at the Conference Bright Spots How We Can Help Presentation Overview

3. The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading focuses on the most important predictor of school success and high school graduation— grade-level reading by the end of third grade. Schools cannot succeed alone. The academic success of children from low-income families will require engaged communities mobilized to remove barriers, expand opportunities, and assist parents to serve as full partners in the success of their children. The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

4. The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading initially is focusing on three challenges to reading success that are amenable to community solutions: The Readiness Gap: Too many children from low-income families begin school already far behind. The Attendance Gap (Chronic Absence): Too many children from low-income families miss too many days of school. The Summer Slide (Summer Learning Loss): Too many children lose ground over the summer months. The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

5. Shape messaging for your community effort to share with stakeholders and the media Coordinate with Campaign communications staff to facilitate media outreach and share good coverage you’ve received Share your Bright Spots, existing programs that have evidence of success Your Role

6. Mid to Late May: Press releases will go out announcing All-America City finalists Early June: Press releases will go out announcing Pacesetter winners and promoting the conference. Late June: Press releases will go out about start of conference July 2: National and local press releases will go out about AAC winners Media Outreach Timetable

7. Provide advance quotes from elected officials so that we can prepare advance press releases on the winners Help disseminate press releases to local contacts Coordinate with local media who might want to come to Denver and help shepherd them at the conference Share coverage, op-eds that run in local media outlets Join the NING: Make sure to sign up Your role in media outreach

8. Our Goal: A blog item on every community in the next year appearing on our public site and on the Ning Your Role: Find a community leader to write a short item (250-350 words) or write it yourself. The blogs can be about anything but some ideas include: -Highlights from your CSAP -Successful programs underway -Highlights from the process -A report on a recent gathering -A blog post from a partner Grade-Level Reading Blog

9. 3 minutes or shorter Focus on how your community is responding to one or all of the challenges - Something already accomplished -How the community is going about engaging the public in a plan -Challenges and opportunities Encourage your community to vote for your video on the All-America City Facebook page. Have fun and be creative. Contact Mike McGrath at mikem@ncl.org or visit www.allamericacityaward.commikem@ncl.orgwww.allamericacityaward.com Video Contest

10. Conference Sessions: We’ll have sessions on messaging and outreach specifically for communications leads Shepherding Reporters: If a reporter from you community attends, plan to spend some time helping them. Also, let the Campaign communications staff know they’re coming and we’ll help. Tweet, Post, Etc: If you’re on Twitter, follow us at @readingby3rd and tweet using #read2012. Like NCL and the Campaign on Facebook. At the Conference

11. The Campaign website features schools and programs that are moving the needle on grade-level reading. Nominate local programs that could qualify for this special recognition Make sure there’s evidence since the Bright Spot designation only goes to schools and programs that have data to show their success. Submit to the Campaign at cthompson@gradelevelreading.net. cthompson@gradelevelreading.net Bright Spots

12. Bright Spots need to meet these criteria: Addresses attendance, summer learning or school readiness or improves K-3 literacy. At least 70% of children qualify for Free or Reduced-Price Meals, or another poverty measure Serves children in the 0-8 years old Shows steady gains in attendance, readiness, summer learning, or K-3 literacy achievement evidenced by state test scores or other accepted metrics Demonstrates successful replication -- or the potential Bright Spots

13. Logos for the Campaign and AAC contest Banners for events and presentations Contact: savila@gradelevelreading.netsavila@gradelevelreading.net Templates for press releases and op-eds Tips for public messaging and the media on website and Ning or contact Phyllis Jordan at pjordan@thehatchergroup.compjordan@thehatchergroup.com Materials from the Campaign

14. Questions?