Congratulations to Kansas City for winning an “All-America City” award for its “Turn the Page KC” reading program.

The Kansas City Star reports:

“‘We whooped and hollered,’ said Turn the Page KC Executive Director Mike English, describing the moment at the award ceremony in Denver on Friday when Kansas City was the first winner named.”

“The number of agencies collaborating in the effort are numerous, including school districts and charter schools, the Kansas City and Mid-Continent public libraries, Lead to Read, the United Way, Literacy Lab, the Local Investment Commission and others that marshaled hundreds of professionals and volunteers to the cause,” the Star adds.

And when we asked Mike about the award, he added, “The All-America City Award not only validates that our 3rd grade reading initiative is on the right track, but also provides fresh energy and excitement to our cause.”

“‘We applaud the big-tent coalitions in these award-winning communities,’ Ralph Smith, the managing director of the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, said in a written statement. ‘They put a stake in the ground around third-grade reading and made some big bets to improve the odds for early school success,’” the Star notes. 

As we’ve blogged, Kansas City’s Mayor Sylvester “Sly” James launched the program, which appears to have boosted children’s success.

“An analysis by The Star found that city children’s performance on Missouri’s third grade reading exam has been growing and narrowing the gap between the average performance statewide.”

The Star has videos about the program posted here and here. And here’s a video of the mayor saying (at 13:57) that “Turn the Page KC” is the program he’s proudest of.

Praising the program’s award in a statement, Mayor James also emphasized the city’s effort saying, “Turn the Page KC is a catalyst, but our community shares this honor. The collective effort of organizations, educators, parents and volunteers means all Kansas City kids, regardless of their family’s income, can acquire the skills needed for success.”