Today, Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace (D-Lancaster) announced that she has secured an additional $100,000 in state funding for the Cheektowaga-Sloan School District.

“Investing in early childhood literacy sets students on a path of continued growth throughout their life,” said Wallace. “Establishing the Readers Workshop program at Cheektowaga-Sloan will enhance students’ reading and comprehension abilities, and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.”

The funding secured by Wallace to establish the Readers Workshop program will allow the school district to invest in professional development, resources for students and teachers, and the creation of a support team for teachers. Once established, the program will teach K-5 students foundational reading skills and strategies. The program will also assist teachers with using learning progressions to assess students’ reading work, help develop their use of self-monitoring strategies, and set the students on a path of continued growth.

“I’m proud to partner with Cheektowaga-Sloan to establish the Readers Workshop,” said Wallace. “The Readers Workshop will help students become stronger, independent, lifelong readers. Investing in their early development of cognitive skills will have lasting effects on the students and our community, which is why I’m pleased to support Cheektowaga-Sloan’s efforts to launch this program.”

This funding is in addition to a $274,000 increase to foundation aid for Cheektowaga-Sloan that Wallace secured in the 2017-2018 state budget.