By Achieve Brown County
Early literacy does not begin or end in a classroom. It is shaped by families, educators, healthcare providers, libraries, nonprofits, businesses, and the systems that surround children from birth through elementary school. When these systems work in alignment, children are more likely to thrive.
On December 4, 2025, Achieve Brown County convened more than 100 partners, parents, educators, healthcare leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community advocates for an Early Literacy Convening focused on one shared goal: ensuring every child in Brown County can read at grade level by the end of third grade.
This full-day gathering marked an important milestone in our Reading for the Future initiative. The convening was not only about sharing information. It was about strengthening relationships, centering community voice, and building momentum across the systems that shape early literacy.
Grounding the Work in Shared Data and Systems
The morning sessions focused on building shared understanding. Students from Nicolet Elementary School set the tone for the day by sharing inspiration from their personal experiences with learning to read.
Following this, participants explored updated early literacy data, including third grade reading outcomes, demographic trends, and persistent disparities connected to race, language, gender, and economic status.
While Brown County continues to outperform the state average in third grade reading, the data revealed an important truth. Progress is uneven, and equity gaps remain significant. These realities reinforced why systems-level collaboration is essential.
Presenters emphasized,
“Data is not used to assign blame. Instead, it serves as a tool to spark honest conversation, deepen understanding of root causes, and guide smarter collective action. “
Many attendees shared appreciation for how clearly and accessibly the information was presented, noting that it supported meaningful dialogue across sectors.
Interested in the Early Grade Reading Outcomes Data?
You can take a focused look at our Early Grade Reading Outcome, the state of early literacy in our community. We encourage you to dive into definitions, patterns, and achievement gaps. It is our hope that this tool helps partners, policymakers, educators, funders, and community members better understand early literacy and why it should matter to everyone.
Learning From What Is Working
Throughout the day, partners from early childhood education, K through 12 schools, healthcare, libraries, and community-based organizations highlighted promising practices already making a difference for young learners and families in Brown County.
From literacy-rich early childhood classrooms and bilingual education models, to volunteer reading coaches, Reach Out and Read partnerships, and library-based family engagement, presenters demonstrated a consistent theme. Early literacy thrives when families are supported, systems are aligned, and communities invest early and consistently.
Hearing directly from peers across sectors reinforced an important reminder for many participants.
“No one organization can solve these challenges alone, and our collective impact is stronger when we learn from one another rather than working in isolation.”
Creating Space for Collaboration and Growth
In the afternoon, the convening shifted from learning to doing. Participants engaged in facilitated action planning breakout sessions designed to surface ideas, identify barriers, and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration.
Attendees valued the thoughtful structure of these sessions and the chance to engage with diverse perspectives in a safe and welcoming environment. At the same time, feedback highlighted opportunities for growth moving forward. Participants expressed interest in having:
- More time for collaborative problem solving
- Additional opportunities to engage directly with presenters
- Clear moments to commit to shared next steps and action items
This feedback reflects Achieve Brown County’s commitment to continuous learning.
Energy, Gratitude, and Momentum
Across survey responses, one theme stood out clearly: gratitude and energy. Participants consistently described the convening as well organized, welcoming, and engaging. Many shared appreciation for the diversity of voices in the room, the opportunity to build new relationships, and the sense of shared purpose throughout the day.
Perhaps most importantly, participants left feeling energized. Energized to continue the work, deepen partnerships, and carry the momentum back into their organizations and communities.
Looking Ahead
The December Early Literacy Convening reaffirmed a core belief of Achieve Brown County. Systems change happens when people come together around shared data, shared values, and shared action. You can join us for our next Early Literacy Convening this coming May!
Next Steps for Reading for the Future:
- Strengthening collaborative spaces
- Expanding literacy-rich environments
- Ensuring families remain at the center of early literacy efforts across Brown County
Thank you to every presenter, participant, facilitator, sponsor, and partner who made this day possible. Together, we are building a Brown County where early literacy is not just an aspiration, but a shared commitment and a shared responsibility.
We are Achieve Brown County.
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