Children learn to read through the end of third grade; when they enter fourth grade students read to learn. This is why United Way of Berks County’s Ready.Set.READ! initiative focuses on kindergarten readiness and reading proficiency by the end of third grade.
As part of its Ready.Set.READ! efforts, United Way partners with Reading School District to deliver a phonetics-based curriculum called Read Alliance in nine elementary schools. The dual impact program, based on a New York Read Alliance model, recruits and trains high school students to serve as tutors for first graders. Teens gain valuable leadership and work skills thought this paid work experience; elementary students gain measurable reading progress.
The results have been significant:
• 462 second grade students have completed the program.
• 76% of them made at least a one-year improvement in their reading skills; and
• 323 high school teens gained paid employment work experience.
With the success in Reading School District, United Way is now expanding the READ program, creating a greater impact for area teens and young students.
Join us on August 21st at 11:30 to learn more about this work. Please register to receive a Zoom link. The recording of the session will be sent to all who register.
