Strive for 85
What would happen if an entire community came together around one goal? One that could change the future for thousands of local children? That's exactly what we're setting out to discover.
In September, educators, business owners, community organizations, early childhood partners, and local leaders gathered to officially launch Strive for 85, a three-year movement to improve early literacy across Tehama County.
Ambitious? Yes. Achievable? Absolutely.
One thing is certain. Getting there will take much more than the dedicated work already happening inside our classrooms. It will take fresh ideas, shared resources, a little creativity, and a community willing to roll up its sleeves and get to work. Fortunately, that's something Tehama County knows a thing or two about.
Why Third Grade? Why Now?
Third grade is an important turning point in a child's education. It's when students begin transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. Reading becomes an essential part of nearly every subject, from math and science to history and beyond.
Our Goal
Right now, about 45% of Tehama County third graders read fluently at grade level. Strive for 85 aims to change that trajectory.
Third grade is an important turning point in a child's education. It's when students begin transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. Reading becomes an essential part of nearly every subject, from math and science to history and beyond.
A Year Of Planning—Ready For Action
O
ur September 23rd gathering was more than a kickoff. It was the culmination of nearly a year of listening, learning, digging into local data, taking stock of existing resources, and building important relationships. And now? It's time to put all that groundwork into action. With a guiding team that includes Expect More Tehama, the Tehama County Department of Education, First 5 Tehama, local school districts, and community partners, Strive for 85 is moving from planning into action.
During last week's workshop, participants rolled up their sleeves and began working in four community-led action teams.
- Early Years & Families: Strengthening early learning experiences, supporting families, and helping children build the foundations for literacy long before third grade.
- Attendance & Healthy Kids: Addressing school attendance, health, and developmental needs that influence children's ability to learn.
- Teaching & Literacy Support: Connecting effective literacy instruction, tutoring, and additional reading support to help students succeed.
- Community Voice & Engagement: Bringing families, businesses, organizations, and neighbors into the conversation and making reading a visible community priority.
Each team left the gathering with an important challenge: What can we do together between now and spring to create meaningful progress for children and families?
Local data, community experiences, and a commitment to building on what's already working will help guide the efforts ahead.
Our Before Picture
For Kathy Garcia, Executive Director of Expect More Tehama, the gathering was a moment worth remembering.
"This is our before picture," Garcia said. "Three years from now, we want to look back at the people who were in this room and remember that this was the moment we decided to change the trajectory for children in Tehama County. We know where we are starting. Now we get to see what is possible when an entire community decides to move in the same direction."
Kathy Garcia, Executive Director of Expect More Tehama
The group photo taken at the launch captures the people who showed up, shared their ideas, and committed to being part of something bigger. Three years from now, we hope it will remind us where this work began and just how far we've come.
Making Reading Visible Everywhere
Strive for 85 isn't intended to be another short-lived campaign—it’s a movement. The vision is to make reading part of Tehama County's culture.
Imagine a community where children encounter reading everywhere they go. At home. At school. At the library. At the doctor's office. At a restaurant. At church. At their coach's practice. And in the businesses their families visit every day.
Over the next three years, we want to see Strive for 85 become part of everyday life in Tehama County. We'll share local stories, celebrate wins (big and small), bring on new champions, and find creative ways to keep the momentum going.
What might that look like? A Strive for 85 sticker in your favorite downtown business. A service club stepping up to support the Reading Pal program. A neighbor volunteering an hour of their time. Or a family making bedtime stories part of their nightly routine.
The idea is simple: small actions, multiplied across an entire county, can create BIG change.
Find Your One Thing
You don't have to be an educator to make a difference. Everyone has something to offer, and the first step doesn't have to be complicated.
- READ with a child. Share a favorite book or make time for a story.
- TALK about the importance of reading. Start a conversation with a friend, neighbor, or colleague. Speak with your child's teacher about how their reading is progressing—and ask what you can do at home to help them grow.
- GIVE books or support existing programs. Help strengthen the literacy resources already in our community.
- VOLUNTEER your time and talents. Find a way to contribute through a school or community organization.
- SHARE the message. Invite others to find their one thing and join the movement.
The launch was just the beginning. Our action teams are getting to work, new opportunities for community involvement are ahead, and we'll continue sharing stories of the people and partnerships moving this effort forward.
To everyone who joined us last week, THANK YOU for showing up, leaning in, and bringing your ideas to the table. And to those who couldn't make it, there's plenty of room for you in the work ahead.
Every Child.
A Confident Reader.
Interested in getting involved?
Reach out to Kathy Garcia at Kathy@expectmoretehama.com.