Utah Virtual Academy Exceeds 3rd Grade Reading Goal

MURRAY, Utah, Sept. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Utah Virtual Academy (UTVA), a K-12 online public charter school, announced that it exceeded its third-grade reading goal for the 2014-15 school year. 

According to analysis of third grade reading competency data conducted by the Utah State Office of Education, UTVA achieved an 82.8 percent target, outperforming its school-level target by over 18 percent. The state had set a uniform growth target for UTVA at 64 percent for 2014-15. 

In a letter to school the Utah State Office of Education stated, "Utah Virtual Academy has achieved their uniform growth goal target for the 2014-15 school year. Congratulations on making progress towards increasing the percentage of third grade students achieving competency in reading."

Stacey Hutchings, UTVA Head of School, said, "We are very proud of this accomplishment. Educators know that reading is the foundation of learning. Ensuring that third grade students are proficient in reading is critically important, and I'm so proud of our teachers, staff and committed parents who are working so hard towards this goal."

According to many studies, students who are unable to read by third grade are more likely to fall behind, rarely able catch up, and are at higher risk of dropping out of school. Recently states have put an emphasis on improving reading outcomes for young students. 

"Governor Herbert and the Utah State Board of Education have rightly made early childhood literacy a priority, and that is also our focus at Utah Virtual Academy. The curriculum, instruction and individualized learning programs we use at our school are designed to help young students grow to become strong, independent readers."

About Utah Virtual Academy

UTVA is a public charter school that serves students in grades K-12 across the state. The accredited, tuition-free public school serves full-time and part-time students. State-certified teachers provide instruction, guidance and support and interact with students regularly through technology. UTVA uses the award-winning curriculum and academic services provided by K12 Inc. LRN, the nation's largest provider of online and blended school programs for students in kindergarten through high school. More information can be found at www.k12.com/utva.

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SOURCE Utah Virtual Academy