Every Child Can Read

The reading academy is a 20-day intensive remediation program for second and third graders that need intense reading instruction to pass standardized tests to be ready to transition from learning to Read, to reading to learn. It is a crucial time for students to Read at grade level by the end of third grade in order to succeed in school, as well as future career paths. The reading academy program is located in a local facility, currently at the iu east richmond campus. The program offers a 5:1 student teacher ratio, specialized instruction, intervention, social/emotional support, activities, two meals a day, transportation, and highly qualified teachers and staff. There is never a charge for the program.

We have also launched the local little free library. These "book boxes" (cost $100/box in national registration fees) are placed in strategic locations of a steward's choice. The boxes are filled with books to be "borrowed and exchanged via the box. A steward volunteers to maintain individual boxes.

K ready is an early learning program designed to put books into the hands of children of wayne county ages birth to 5 years old. We participate in the dolly parton imagination library (with 800+ children enrolled at present), at a cost of $25/child/year. K-ready partners with local doctor's offices, childcare and early learning programs, schools and families to help children be prepared to enter kindergarten. We are investigating additional programing to support these children with highly qualified teachers and developmental direction for families and caregivers.