At the foundation of learning is the ability to read. Help set a child on the path to success.
In 2024, 77% of Wichita third graders were not reading proficiently and failing to meet grade level benchmarks. In fourth grade, students transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” If a student isn’t reading at grade level, they fall behind. In fact, they’re four times more likely to drop out. But you have the power to change their story.
READING AT GRADE LEVEL
Read to Succeed focuses on helping children meet critical third-grade reading benchmarks by supporting early interventions in second grade. Through a partnership with USD 259 – Wichita Public Schools, volunteer reading coaches are matched with at-risk second-grade students at local elementary schools. Coaches meet weekly with a student to listen to them read and provide intervention tactics to help them improve their reading skills. This simple act helps them stay on track in school and life.
Become a Coach
Coaches meet weekly, one-on-one with a student for 20 minutes. Both men and women are invited to be reading coaches. There is no financial commitment to be a coach. Free training is provided. You can pick the school you serve at and the day of the week you want to coach. When you invest your time as a reading coach, you’re investing in the life of a child and the future of our workforce.
Volunteer recruitment for the 2026-2027 school year will launch early this summer. Check back soon for details!
2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR RESULTS
25 Elementary Schools Served
2,500+ Volunteer Hours Served
217 volunteer reading coaches met weekly with 234 second grade students
Surpassing Their Peers
On average, Read to Succeed students began the school year reading fewer words per minute compared to non-Read to Succeed students. By the end of the school year, they surpassed their peers.
Achieving Faster Fluency
Students in Read to Succeed increased their reading fluency 31.6% faster than their peers, averaging 1.54 words per minute of growth each week compared to 1.17 words per minute for non-participants.
Excelling in Accuracy
Read to Succeed students achieved reading accuracy rates that were 7.1 percentage points higher than their peers, finishing the year at 98.1% accuracy compared to 91.0% for non-participants.
Achieving Benchmarks
52% of students achieved the goal to read at the grade level benchmark.
PARTNERS
Special thanks to USD 259 – Wichita Public Schools for partnering with United Way for this initiative.
SPONSORS
We deeply appreciate IMA’s generous commitment to empowering students in our community by enhancing their reading skills, which will have a lasting impact on their academic success and future opportunities.
QUESTIONS?
For more information, contact Logan Bradshaw, United Way Director of Community Impact, at lbradshaw@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267-1321, ext. 4210.
OUR IMPACT
Every day, our neighbors are working hard to overcome barriers and get ahead. Together, we connect people to the opportunities they need to reach their potential and make our community a place where everyone can thrive. United is the way we build a stronger future for all.
