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June 3, 2016

Rewriting the futures of #11ThousandReaders

Have you ever read a book with a kid? Most of the time, you’ll find that kids are excited and engrossed in good books. And as they begin to read independently, kids are even more enthusiastic about showing off their newfound reading-chops. It may be surprising, but kids love reading!

As children build skill in reading, the doors of opportunity swing open. They are able to learn new subjects, succeed in school, and develop a healthy dose of confidence.

When fourth-grader Josiah decided to run for student body president, he found motivation and inspiration from the book, Grace for President, about a young girl who decides she wants to be the first female president in the US. While the title of student body president was ultimately secured by a much older sixth-grader, Josiah “learned a lot about himself and grew as a person just by putting himself out there and taking a chance,” said his tutor, Margo. After the race Josiah said, with maturity and poise, “It’s okay, I’ll try again next year.”

With the goal of opening his own business someday, second-grader Alexander is motivated to hone his reading skills for a different reason. He wants to learn everything there is to know about starting and running a business. While Alexander entered Reading Partners a whole year behind his classmates in reading, with hard work and determination, he ended the year well ahead of his grade level with no plans of slowing down.

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Josiah and Alexander were fortunate to receive supplementary reading support through Reading Partners, at no cost to their families. But, for many other kids who struggle with reading and do not have access to additional supports, their options become increasingly limited as they progress through school and into adulthood.

Studies show that when students can’t read at grade level by fourth grade they are four times less likely to graduate on time and they face higher risks of incarceration, teen pregnancy, and adult poverty.

And it’s an unfortunate truth that over 64 percent of fourth graders in the United States, today, cannot read at grade level (according to NAEP scores). 

All kids deserve the right to read, and that’s why Reading Partners and our volunteers are gearing up to bring reading support to more than #11ThousandReaders — each with their own dreams and aspirations for the future. But, we can’t do it alone.

You can help bring books, tools, and resources to #11ThousandReaders in need. Here’s what a donation — big or small — can do to help:

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