5 Conn. schools chosen for early literacy program

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Five elementary schools in urban areas around Connecticut have been chosen for a program to boost the literacy of students from kindergarten through third grade.

The education reform bill that passed earlier this year budgets money for each of the five schools to receive five reading specialists.

The chosen schools announced on Tuesday are in East Hartford, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven and Windham.

Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor credited the state Legislature and members of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus with making early reading a priority in education reform.

Connecticut has one of the largest gaps in student reading ability. By the end of third grade, only 26 percent of Hispanic and black students read at goal level on state mastery tests.