Auburn Youth Programs expanded educational access by joining a digital network of literacy experts
The challenge
Across the country, there are a multitude of highly skilled reading specialists who help young children build critical literacy skills. These educators live in big cities, rural communities and small towns – but constraints on their time limit the number of children who can access their services. Auburn Youth Programs recognized that online learning could increase the bandwidth of literacy educators, and they tapped into a digital resource network to ensure as many students as possible could make meaningful connections with literacy teachers online.
The solution
Image provided by Auburn Youth Programs
Auburn Youth Programs forged a partnership with Institute of Reading Development’s digital Reading Program throughout the summer of 2021. After providing students with e-readers and physical books through funds raised at Auburn University’s #Fight4Literacy Game sponsored by International Paper, they connected them with this online reading course. This completely digital course connected students with literacy experts around the country who walked them through curated lessons around pre-selected materials.
This individualized connection to educators was a win-win scenario. Auburn students were able to access lessons from literacy professionals they could not have acquired in their community. As students engaged with the program, they built reading confidence as their learning was not taking place in front of their peers. Simultaneously, educators were able to share lessons with multiple students, increasing their reach and allowing for exponentially expanded impact.
The testimony
Image provided by Auburn Youth Programs
Auburn Youth Programs doesn’t just seek to teach children how to read – they hope to help them build confidence and grow to love reading. Their success in this effort is apparent through stories like Eloise’s.
“My daughter, Eloise, has participated in the summer reading program twice. The first summer she participated was at a time when school learning had been abruptly brought to an end in 2020. The Reading Program gave my daughter the opportunity to continue learning virtually with a Reading Program teacher and other students. My daughter has struggled with reading comprehension in school and this program helped her to feel more confident in her reading skills when she returned to school. Because she enjoyed the program so much the first time, we felt it was important for her to participate again. Her reading skills have improved based on standardized tests given at the beginning of fourth grade. Both times she has participated, the chosen books have been interesting to her, and the class discussion was engaging. As a parent, I am thankful for the Reading Program teachers who invest in our children to help them become better readers and help foster a love for reading.”
You can #Fight4Literacy.
Illiteracy impacts every community – it is critical that we all join together to help children locally and around the country. Consider donating to Coaching for Literacy or participating in an upcoming #Fight4Literacy Game. Share this message with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, and follow Coaching for Literacy for information about upcoming events and the fight against illiteracy. We look forward to having you on our team.
