Saucon Valley officials hope a literacy program will help students read on grade level by the third grade.

At the Sept. 23 board meeting, district Superintendent Monica McHale-Small told board members the program is needed.

"The single largest predictor of whether or not a student will graduate on time is how close they are to reading on grade level by third grade," she said.

The program will be funded by a $110,000 Ready to Learn state grant. The grant will allow the district to purchase the Superkids program. The program helps children to read and comprehend the text in a book.

"The program is very engaging," McHale-Small said.

Saucon Valley ES Principal Cindy Motter noted third grade state standardized test scores have taken a hit from 92 percent in 2009 to 78 percent in 2013.

McHale-Small said she used the program in the previous school district she worked in. "The results are unmatched by any other program," Motter said.

The district hopes to begin the program in January.