Consider the impact

As we prepare to vote on a third school district budget vote on or before Aug. 11, I urge South Burlington voters to consider the direct impact of their votes on math and literacy achievement in our elementary schools, especially for low-income students. The proposed budget includes the elimination of three elementary literacy/math coaches, who are essential for improving outcomes students with widely varying needs, including those dealing with poverty, trauma, and learning a new language. The advise teachers and principals on devising learning strategies, making sense of emerging data, and maintaining consistency across our district.

A “No” vote would eliminate even more of these essential positions.

The importance of literacy and math proficiency in elementary school cannot be overstated, as they are directly related to future success in high school, higher education, and beyond.

Indicators for future success appear as early as third grade. Consider:

Research has shown that 16% of children who do not read proficiently in third grade do not graduate from high school on time; of those, 26% from low-income households do not graduate at all. Incarceration rates for high school dropouts are 63% higher than for college graduates.

76% percent of below-level third-graders will remain poor readers in high school, where reading is essential for learning.

Early math skills have been linked to future success in high school and college, building the capacity for problem solving, reasoning, and communication. Math skills have also been linked to increased success in literacy.

Think South Burlington doesn’t need extra help? Think again. Only 50% of Rick Marcotte Middle School fifth-graders were “proficient” in math in 2018, while only 67% were reading at grade level; those receiving Free and Reduced Lunch scored substantially lower than those who do not (56% “Proficient” in reading 52% in math). This is to say, those in the most financial peril at this time are also those who most desperately need the intervention and expertise of these highly trained literacy and math specialists.

Many advocating against this proposed budget believe we will be protecting those who are suffering economically. Considering that their parents won’t see tax increases thanks to Income Sensitivity, the truth is that a level-funded budget would be balanced on the backs of our most disadvantaged students, who will bear the brunt of these lost positions for the rest of their lives through lower earnings and higher incarceration rates.

I urge you to Vote “Yes.”

Karl J. Haas, PhD

South Burlington