Springfield praised for reading initiatives

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Tuesday night the city of Springfield was recognized for its efforts to improve reading proficiency.

The Read! Reading Success by 4th Grade initiative presented Springfield with a Community Pacesetter certificate. They honored Springfield's leadership in addressing the challenges that keep many low-income students from learning.

Ralph Smith, director of Campaign Grade Level Reading told 22News, “To thank them for their energy, enthusiasm and imagination and leadership they've shown as they've tried to get Springfield's kids reading on the third grade. They have really shown the wave for the rest of us.”

Springfield is one of five cities among 124 communities nationwide that are implementing action plans to support low-income children from birth through third grade.