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In order for anyone to have full access to all the opportunities modern life offers, reading and writing are essential. But literacy rates aren’t what they should be, and so the U-W Green Bay Literacy Initiative has been launched to make a difference. The program trains volunteers to go into first through third grades where they foster the love of reading in those students, and as the program grows, it’s hoped that so will the number of schools and libraries that host volunteer readers. Right now, Sheboygan’s Jackson and Wilson Elementary Schools are on board with the program along with schools in three other eastern Wisconsin districts.
UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander points to data that shows a 14% decrease in reading proficiency during the pandemic years of 2020-21. According to the most recent performance scorecard for the Sheboygan Area School District, less than 1/3 of K-12 students are “proficient” or “advanced” readers at their levels, while just over 30 percent (30.9%) fall below basic ability.
The UWGB Literacy Initiative is recruiting volunteers from its faculty, students, and the community to take the free online course and then become volunteer reading tutors. It seems simple, but reading to first-through-third graders is shown to help children succeed in school and their lives beyond.
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer reader, you can follow this link.
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