North State Together is committed to improving outcomes in all areas along the cradle to career pipeline. Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot (KRS) is a FREE tool administered by North State Together used to assess and store information about incoming kindergarten students’ readiness levels. The “Snapshot” evaluates a student’s readiness in literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional/physical skills. Questions included in the Snapshot are based on questions from other validated or commonly used assessments (i.e., Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), California Department of Education Preschool Learning Foundation’s 60 month Goals). Without this locally developed KRS assessment tool, we would have a critical missing data component along the educational pipeline. A large body of research has shown that kindergarten readiness is a strong predictor of later academic achievement and school adjustment. Readiness assessments help our region understand how prepared our children are for kindergarten so that they can provide necessary supports to ensure all children are successful in elementary school and beyond.

Expect More Tehama, one of five county networks under the North State Together umbrella, is a broad range of community members engaged in a movement to address local issues in education by convening people, fostering relationships and discovering community together. Amy Schutter sits on Expect More Tehama's Leadership Council offering her expertise in grant writing for nonprofits and education.

Amy will be in Red Bluff hosting a course over several evenings this fall where she will help attendees gain skills in grant writing and resource development.

Reach Higher Shasta, one of five county networks under the North State Together umbrella, is excited to introduce their new Coordinator, Gordon DeWitt! Gordon was born and raised in Redding, California. He spent most of his free time in the woods, biking around with friends. After high school, he moved to Texas to continue his education. Shortly after his first year of college, he met LynnAnne who would become his wife. The couple lived in Los Angeles for several years before returning to Redding in 2001 to raise their family. Gordon and his wife have been married 23 years and have 5 children and 1 grandchild.

Gordon has called Redding home for 38 years of his life. He cares deeply for this community and believes each person deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams. He is excited to help Reach Higher Shasta fulfill its mission and honored to be part of this team.

For many students attending Shasta College this Fall their tuition will be free for their first two years as long as they are first-time, full-time students. A new program, called the Shasta College Promise Program, is providing students who previously may have avoided going to school due to financial considerations, another chance at obtaining a college education. The Shasta Promise program is funded by a mix of private and public funds.