This group chaired by Dawn Koger, OS Early Childhood Consultant and is working on the state guideline that every child is reading proficiently by the end of the third grade. We would like to: provide caregivers the knowledge and resources to increase the quality of language and literacy at home, provide early childhood professionals with developmentally appropriate strategies to increase quality language and literacy instruction, and expand and strengthen community partnerships to focus on improving children's language, literacy, and communication skills.