78%of students
Below reading proficiency
South Bend students, iLearn reading
The challenge
Fragmentation makes it harder for children to get the right support at the right time.
The draft deck summarizes the challenge as fragmentation, poverty, and weak social ties combining into poor outcomes for low-income children. Our Kids can help partners move from isolated programs to shared goals, coordinated service delivery, and measurable progress.
29%of students
Failed to pass iRead by 3rd grade
Resulting in high retention pressure
37%of students
Chronically absent
School year 2024-2025
Pilot site
Near Northwest schools show where support needs to concentrate.
The deck identifies Census Tract 6, the Near Northwest Neighborhood, as the initial pilot area. It is described as a community with 40% childhood poverty and a vital, supportive local network.
SiteReadingiReadAbsence
SBCSC78%29%37%
Muessel94.4%41%54.1%
Madison87.1%37%45.9%
Holy Cross53.9%2.6%NA
Cradle to career
Improving education outcomes across every transition.
Launch focus: early grade reading
1Kindergarten readiness
2Early grade reading
3Middle grade math
4High school graduation
5Post-secondary enrollment
6Degree completion