West Ridge Elementary (Post Falls) - Bucks for Books

This Donation will buy a book for West Ridge Elementary in Post Falls. Their Librarian says "Many of our students are at the age where they would like to read chapter books, but do not have the skills to read the majority of the chapter books available in our library. 43% of our students schoolwide tested as Not Proficient on the Fall 2023 ISIP. Students are often embarrassed to look in the picture book/everybody section. I would like to purchase lower level chapter books to allow these students more options and opportunities to work on phonics and decoding skills. I would also like to incorporate dyslexia- friendly chapter books for those students that learn and process information differently than their peers."

In 2019, the Idaho Lottery learned 28 percent of Idaho elementary schools had a library budget of less than $100 per year for book procurement. In reality, it would take nearly $8,000 every year per school to maintain the library collection students need to succeed. With that in mind, the Idaho Lottery worked with the Idaho Commission for Libraries to start Bucks For Books. Literacy has been a focus of Idaho Governor Brad Little since he took office in 2019. Getting all Idaho students reading at grade level by the third grade is imperative as that is the point where students transition from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn. Having a well-stocked library and the ability for all students to take books home is crucial in getting all Idaho students where they need to be.