By implementing summer programs for students in early grades and high-quality preschool that focuses on preparing students for kindergarten, one California county is improving the reading skills of its young children.
While San Mateo County has a significant number of residents with advanced degrees, 44 percent of 3rd-graders in the county were not reading at grade level, based on standardized test scores in 2012-13, said Diana Harlick of the San Mateo County Office of Education. The startling statistics spurred community organizations and the county office of education to launch The Big Lift, a preschool-to-3rd- grade initiative with a mission to improve the reading skills of children in San Mateo County by 2020. The program was implemented in 2015.
To boost reading skills, The Big Lift has provided millions of dollars to local organizations that work with schools in San Mateo County. In the first round of funding for 2017-18, The Big lift awarded $4.4 million to 11 organizations located within the boundaries of four school districts in San Mateo County: Cabrillo Unified in Half Moon Bay, Jefferson Elementary School District in Daly City, South San Francisco Unified and La Honda-Pescadero Unified.
The report also found after participating in the summer program, 88 percent of parents said they became more involved in their child’s education and 93 percent of teachers said students had a more positive attitude about school. The report, released in November, was produced by BELL, Building Educated Leaders for Life, a national organization that partners with schools and community organizations to provide academic programs in low-income neighborhoods.
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