Did you know that one of the strongest indicators of a child’s success in school and life happens in the third grade? This is the year in which students transition from learning how to read into students who must read to learn. This pivotal passage is critical—and has been one that has challenged children, families, and schools nationally for generations.
Fortunately, a dedicated group of Madison County volunteers have played an integral role in Anderson Community Schools’ students reading journey. Each week, thirty Read United volunteers have worked one-on-one with second graders at all six elementary schools.
Read United is one of many efforts Heart of Indiana United Way leads to protect children’s right to read and help them thrive in school and life. Thanks to our incredible partnership with Anderson Community Schools and tremendous volunteer support, second graders who were just below reading at grade level received interventions to strengthen their skills. Students were selected by their teachers and building principals.
Volunteers consistently showed up to volunteer one hour every week to tutor children in reading. Each volunteer was paired with two students—and worked with them one-on-one for thirty minutes each. They served as role models and built positive and caring relationships with students. Because Read United volunteers believed in their students’ potential for success, they enthusiastically helped their students who were on the bubble become stronger readers.
As the school year is wrapping up, Anderson’s elementary school students are taking and retaking the IREAD exam—Indiana’s test to assess students’ reading proficiency. For third graders, this is a high-stakes test—as failure to pass means they must retake third grade.
Already, several of the Read United students have passed IREAD on their first attempt as second graders. This is a huge accomplishment since IREAD is a third-grade test—and these students were below grade level at the start of the school year.
Director of District and Community Engagement Brad Meadows volunteered for the program and worked with four students. So far, 75% of his students passed IREAD on their first attempt.
“What I have enjoyed as a volunteer is seeing growth in their confidence, endurance, and being able to build a relationship with them through a shared love of reading,” he said.
Having caring adults from the community who are there because they love kids and want to make a difference made a tremendous impact on the Read United students and Anderson Community Schools. Investing time and resources into early learning and literacy pays huge dividends in the future as students are more likely to graduate from high school, earn a higher degree or credential, and be productive citizens.
On behalf of all of us at Heart of Indiana United Way, thank you Read United volunteers and Anderson Community Schools for helping our city’s children thrive!