United Way of the Plains

Wichita State Shockers are teaming up with Champions for Literacy to support United Way of the Plains childhood literacy efforts. All money raised will fund literacy programs and provide reading resources for students in the Shocker Neighborhood!

Help us provide books for over 2,500 students kindergarten through third grade. $10 provides 2 books for a child. Let's go, Wichita!

100% of donations will stay local to provide books and resources to help children in kindergarten through third-grade students learn to read.

Thanks to Champions for Literacy, the first $5,000 raised will be matched, dollar-for-dollar.

Why Literacy?

According to data from the Kansas Department of Education, 77% of Wichita third graders were not reading proficiently during the 2024 school year. In fourth grade, students transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” If a student isn’t reading at grade level, they fall behind. In fact, they’re four times more likely to drop out.

The summer reading slide (also called summer learning loss) refers to the decline in reading skills that happens when students are out of school for the summer and don’t engage in regular reading or literacy activities. It is the tendency for students, especially those students from lower-income families, to lose some of the reading gains they made during the previous school year.

Research varies, but generally studies find that students lose about one to three months of reading skills over the summer months. This can happen for a few different reasons: lack of access to books/reading materials at home, less adult support/encouragement to read over summer break, as well as limited participation in structured learning activities over the summer.

Children from low-income families often experience greater losses because of fewer literacy resources at home. Additionally, elementary students in grades K-3 are among the groups most affected because they are still working to form foundational reading skills.

Every kid deserves to be a great reader. We know every kid is capable. They simply need access and opportunity. This is where you come in! Click Donate and 100% of funds raised will go to impact K-3rd graders in and around the Shocker neighborhood.

Where else is the Fight for Literacy this season? Check out who else is Fighting for Literacy