Indiana Chamber Statement On State Of Indiana, Lilly Endowment Investment To Support Early Literacy

Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar offers remarks on today’s announcement and partnership between the state of Indiana and Lilly Endowment to invest $111 million to support early literacy for Indiana students.

“This landmark investment to bolster the reading skills of young Hoosiers is right on target and what the state needs given the number of young Hoosiers who cannot read at a proficient grade level,” Brinegar says. “Our current outcomes in reading and other education metrics are completely unacceptable; bold action like this is needed to repair our leaking talent pipeline and enhance Indiana’s workforce and economic fortunes.

“Indiana lacks the skilled talent to fill the current job openings employers have,” he adds. “There’s no better place to start in order to have a lasting impact than at the beginning. Getting our young students off on the right foot with the proper foundation of how to read and learn is vital for both their sakes – in ensuring economic and employment opportunities down the road – and for the state to better grow its own talent.”

Promoting early literacy is a longstanding priority for the Indiana Chamber and efforts are ongoing to support legislation to boost such measures.