Research shows that elementary reading scores can serve as a predictor for a child’s future criminal activity.
A new report unveiled this week revealed that the number of Montezuma County fourth-graders not proficient at reading has steadily risen, from 44 percent in 2012 to 53 percent last year. By comparison, 1 in 3 of the state’s fourth-graders aren’t skilled in reading, according to the Colorado Children’s Campaign 2015 Kids Count report.
“The reading rates are very alarming,” said Montelores Early Childhood Council coordinator Vangi McCoy.
A former elementary educator, McCoy explained that the Kids Count report measured 12 distinct areas in 25 Colorado counties with the highest child populations. Montezuma County ranked last in this year’s report.
Montezuma County District Court Magistrate Jeremy Botkins, who presides over the area’s juvenile criminal proceedings, said he too was concerned by the reading data, citing deficiencies in a child’s early education tend to persist and can worsen later in life.
“While reading scores may be useful in predicting a juvenile’s risk of future criminal activity, I think it’s important to place those scores in the larger context of risk factors,” said Botkins.
While low reading scores are likely linked to future criminality, Botkins cautioned that grades weren’t always the cause. Other risks factors include trauma, substance abuse and engaging with an anti-social peer groups, he said.
To help turn the tide on low reading scores, McCoy said her agency sponsored reading programs, including tutors for school-aged children, free book distribution projects and educational opportunities for parents to engage their children through reading.
“These efforts won’t result in immediate changes, but hopefully we’ll see the trajectory start to change,” she said.
“Whatever we do today, it probably won’t show up in the data for 10 years,” McCoy reiterated.
In addition to ranking last in reading, Montezuma County also topped the worst list for total number of children living in single parent homes, teen birth rates and high school dropout rates. McCoy blamed the county’s high poverty rates, but she couldn’t offer a solution.
“That’s the million-dollar question,” said McCoy, pondering the issue.
“Every child needs an adult that’s crazy about it,” she continued. “Those relationships are the most important thing to ensuring every child is successful and able to achieve.”
Another indicator measured by the Kids Count report was births to single women. In Montezuma County, single women birth rates gradually swelled from 36 to 44 percent between 2010 and 2012, but the rate dropped to 35 percent in 2013, the last year that statistics were available.
Sponsored by Colorado Rep. Don Coram, HB 1194 could help to curtail those birth rates. The proposed legislation would appropriate $5 million toward continued distribution of long-acting reversible contraception, which proponents argue help to reduce both birth and abortion rates while at the same time lowering dependence on government programs.
When examining child poverty in Montezuma County, the Kids Count report reveals that nearly 1,800 kids lived below the poverty line in 2013. While the rate dropped by more than a full percentage point from the previous year, at 30 percent, it remains nearly double that of the state’s child poverty rate of 17 percent.
In the Kids Count report, poverty is defined as those living in households with income levels at, or below, $23,550 for a family of four. In 2013, Colorado had some 1.2 million children living in poverty, the lowest level recorded since 2008.
On a more positive note, the county’s high school graduation rate has increased slightly over the last three years, from 60.2 to 63.2 percent, according to the Kids Count report. Last year’s graduation rate, however, was more than a full percentage point below that of 2011’s rate of 64.3 percent.
Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 Superintendent Alex Carter was quick to point out that the county’s graduation rates included in the report were only for those students that graduated in four years.
“The actual percentage of graduates is actually quite a bit higher than this reported rate,” said Carter. “That being said, it is exciting that this metric is also on the rise.”
Speaking on behalf of the county’s educators, Carter said it was tragic any time a student didn’t graduate high school.
“The future of our community, state and nation depend upon the work being done in our public schools,” he said.
In response to the dated reading data, Carter said Re-1 district assessments reveal that current reading proficiency levels were increasing due to commitment from teachers to reach each and every student.
“This is a daily grind, and we are no where near where we want to be, but we are happy to celebrate being a part of these gains,” he added.
To view the full 2015 Kids Count report, visit http://bit.ly/KidsCount.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
