Before the Fourth Grade Line: Who’s Lifting Our Kids Up?
Podcasts > 1st & 45
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
In this powerful episode of First and 45 with Coach FitzHill, Pastor Drew Davis, Coach FitzHill, and Bishop Fred Harris tackle a critical question: what happens when a child can’t read by third grade—and who’s really responsible?
From Arkansas’ new reading retention law to the deeper social determinants driving illiteracy, poverty, and violence, the conversation goes beyond policy and into the heart of the community. The hosts connect early childhood education, fatherlessness, teenage pregnancy, and food insecurity to the devastating pipeline from classroom struggles to incarceration.
With real stories, hard statistics, and faith-centered solutions, this episode challenges listeners to look in the mirror and step up. It’s not just about holding kids back—it’s about who’s holding them up. Discover how mentorship, community involvement, and early intervention can transform lives, restore hope, and save the next generation before it’s too late.
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