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Learn United to close the
3rd grade reading gap
United Way of Allen County, joined by representatives of the
Allen County Education Partnership, Fort Wayne Community Schools, East Allen
County Schools and many local organizations, has launched a ten-year reading
initiative called Learn United.
Learn United is an effort to close the third grade reading
achievement gap in Allen County within the next decade. United Way defines the
reading gap as the difference between the number of local third-graders who can
read at grade level and those who cannot.
More than 1,000 third graders in Allen County fail to pass
the ISTEP language test every year. Forty percent of all low-income local 3rd
graders can't read at grade level.
"Third grade is a critical time for reading," said Jerry
Peterson, president and CEO of United Way of Allen County. "Up until third
grade, students are learning to read, after third grade, students read to
learn."
Studies show that 74 percent of students who don't read at
grade level by the end of third grade will never catch up. Many will go on to
drop out of school or be incarcerated. Most will not be able to hold down good
jobs.
"The economic consequences of illiteracy are profound," said
Kris Foate, president of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. "American
businesses spend more than $60 billion annually on employee training, much of
that for remedial reading, writing, and mathematics. We must have a
well-educated workforce if we are to attract new businesses and help our
community thrive."
Learn United has three components. The first focuses on
pre-natal care or ensuring that children get a healthy start to life. The next
is building early literacy skills. The last component is the school-age effort.
Learn United's school-age component will focus on recruiting
thousands of area volunteers to work with struggling readers. Volunteers can
visit www.learnunited.org to browse
opportunities and register to work with children. All volunteers must agree to
a background check and will receive all the training needed to be successful in
working with children. Learn United is initially rolling out at four schools:
Fort Wayne Community Schools' Waynedale and Brentwood elementary schools and
East Allen County Schools' Village and Southwick elementary schools.
"We are excited to be a part of Learn United," said EACS
Superintendent Dr. Kay Novotny. "Literacy really is a community issue and we
need the support of the entire community to educate all of our children."
"We know that students perform better when they have
multiple support systems helping them reach their goals," FWCS Superintendent
Dr. Wendy Robinson said. "With strong schools, strong families and strong
community support, our students will be successful."
Volunteers can sign up for a variety of activities in the
classroom, including playing games such as alphabet bingo and memory, working
at a literacy station, reading stories or working on letters and sounds.
Volunteers will also be able to sign up for existing programs through FWCS Study
Connection (after-school homework help), Big Brothers/Big Sisters Lunch Buddies
(talking and reading over lunch), Allen County Education Partnership Project
READS (K-3rd literacy tutoring) and homework help after school at the
Neighborhood Action Center serving children in the Autumn Woods Apartments. In
January, Learn United will partner with Scholastic to promote Real Men Read, a
program that asks men to visit a classroom once a month. Additional
opportunities will be added as the effort grows.
United Way of Allen County modeled Learn United after a
similar effort in Madison, Wisconsin. In less than ten years, Madison's United
Way and local residents closed the reading gap through efforts similar to those
being put in place in Fort Wayne.
The first three years of Learn United will be funded by a
grant from the Indiana Association of United Ways. United Way will seek
additional grant money and private donations after the first three years.
Visit learnunited.org for more information.
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About United Way of Allen County
Through its unique role of encouraging a common vision, United Way helps bring the entire community together to find effective solutions to vital issues. Through fundraising, it helps ensure a broad range of services that includes more than 70 programs and other strategic efforts to improve lives.
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Barnes & Noble and United
Way work together to get books to children in need.
Barnes & Noble Glenbrook is working with United Way of
Allen County to get books to children in need this Christmas season. As part of
its annual holiday book drive, Barnes & Noble Glenbrook has designated that
all donated books will go to Learn United, a United Way reading initiative that
focuses on improving reading skills for low-income children.
read more...
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Harriet and Richard Inskeep Receive the Bill Latz Award for Leadership
United Way CEO and President Jerry Peterson (left) and Board Chair
Irene Walters (third from left), congratulate Harriet and Richard
Inskeep on receiving the Bill Latz Award for Leadership.
read more ...
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United Way of Allen County launches new web site
United Way of Allen County recently unveiled its redesigned web site. The site not only has a fresh new look, it's also easier to navigate. Click here to visit us.
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Have you made your gift yet?
United Way of Allen County is committed to building a stronger community through generous gifts by donors like you. Have you contributed? Your gift can ...
... assist individuals with food, utilities, health care and housing
... support more than 26,000 young people with after-school mentoring and tutoring opportunities
... provide seniors and individuals with disabilities with home care, training and transportation services
It's so easy to donate. Visit
www.unitedwayallencounty.org to give online, or call us at 260-422-4776.
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