Marshalltown has been named a finalist for the All-America City Award, sponsored each year by the National Civic League.
The city's plan to ensure that more children in the Marshalltown Community School District are reading at grade level by the end of third grade was selected as one of 32 finalists.
The "Spread the Words Read by 3rd!" plan was submitted by a community coalition that included representatives from the Marshalltown Community School District, Marshalltown Community College, AEA 267, Community Y, Chamber of Commerce, City of Marshalltown, United Way, Public Library, Mid-Iowa Community Action and Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation.
Winners will be announced July 2 in Denver, Colo.
Read more about this story in Friday's Times-Republican.