As local students return to classroom
, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County is preparing to help hundreds of struggling readers build the skills and confidence they need to succeed. This fall, the Coalition’s free Building Better Readers program will serve students at 52 elementary schools, as well as after-school programs at two libraries, the Blume Literacy Center in Boynton Beach, and through virtual tutoring.The need is significant. According to Florida Assessment of Student Thinking data, 41% of third-grade students in Palm Beach County are not reading on grade level. The percentage is significantly higher in schools serving large numbers of economically disadvantaged students. Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is a critical
predictor of future academic success, as students transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” across all subjects.
The Literacy Coalition is a longstanding partner of the School District. In 2014, the two organizations collaborated to create the Building Better Readers program, in which the Coalition trains community volunteers to provide individualized tutoring to students in grades 1 to 5, with a curriculum complementing classroom instruction.
Students also receive books to take home to build their home libraries, all at no cost to families through the generosity of Coalition donors and sponsors.
The program’s impact can be seen in students like Jacob, who worked with volunteer tutor Lynne throughout the school year. Together, they strengthened his reading skills and discovered a book series that sparked his interest. Jacob continues to make progress as he begins fourth grade.
Emily also made significant gains with the dedication of her tutor, Laura. By the end of third grade, Emily had achieved grade-level proficiency on her reading assessment and advanced to fourth grade, excited about reading. Volunteer Sharon shared the story of Meztli, who began the year struggling to recognize the alphabet and reading well below grade level. By the end of the year, her reading had advanced a grade level and she moved much closer to being on grade level. Her teacher told Sharon how much she believed the tutoring sessions contributed to Meztli’s progress.
For Alonzo, progress was evident both academically and in the classroom. His teacher wrote, “I am so proud of him. His confidence has grown in these last few months. He talks more, participates more, and is becoming more proactive in his learning.” Alonzo later wrote his tutor, Razal, a thank-you note, telling her how much fun he had reading with her. His two older sisters also sent a note, sharing that their family now enjoys reading together.
These stories illustrate how the program can change more than a child’s reading ability. And for volunteers, the experience can be just as meaningful. Giving their time allows them to see the difference that their commitment and encouragement can make. They often find joy and fulfillment in building one-on-one connections with their students, creating meaningful time together, witnessing their growth and knowing they’ve made a lasting impact.
Building on the success of the Building Better Readers program, we’ve expanded the program to serve struggling readers in grades 6 to 8. Now, volunteers can make a difference supporting either elementary or middle school students. Even one hour a week can make a difference in a child’s future. Volunteer Tutor Training sessions begin September 3 to help middle school students and September 14 to help elementary school students. Training opportunities continue throughout the fall. Registration is available at LiteracyPBC.org.
No teaching experience is required for either opportunity. The Literacy Coalition provides comprehensive training, instructional materials, ongoing support, and placement with a student. Volunteers simply need a willingness to commit to scheduled tutoring sessions and a desire to help a child discover the joy and power of reading.
If your schedule doesn’t allow you to volunteer on a regular basis, there are still meaningful ways to get involved. One option is volunteering to read with kindergarten students on specific dates at select local schools through our Read with Me! program. The Literacy Coalition provides high-quality books and engaging activities to share during each session, and students take the books home to continue reading with their families.
For more than three decades, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County has worked to improve quality of life throughout the community by promoting and achieving literacy. Founded in 1989, the Coalition brings together staff, volunteers, AmeriCorps members, schools, libraries, and community organizations to serve children and adults through eight literacy programs and initiatives. Last year, the Coalition helped 64,000 community members.
Kristin Calder is the CEO of the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Make a difference. Help a child learn to read. | Opinion
