Last updated on March 7, 2008

The Schools of Hope Literacy Project works to eliminate the racial achievement gap in third grade reading test scores by recruiting, training and placing community volunteer reading tutors in Sun Prairie schools and community centers.

Description:
The Schools of Hope Literacy Project works to make all Sun Prairie Area School District students better readers. Our goal is to eliminate the racial achievement gap in fourth grade reading test scores. We work with Westside and C. H. Bird Elementary Schools in Sun Prairie to help them place community volunteers in their schools. These volunteer tutors
work with struggling readers on a one-on-one basis, which results in a great experience for both the tutor and the student.

History:
The Schools of Hope Literacy Project, a partnership between United Way of Dane County, Madison Metropolitan School District and RSVP of Dane County, was conceived in 1995. Its objective was to increase the third grade reading test scores at 21 MMSD schools and to work on closing the racial achievement gap in those test scores. In order to accomplish this objective, the project focused on two main goals. One, to increase and enhance the use of community literacy tutors. Research shows that children's reading scores improve from more time spent reading one-on-one with adults. It was felt that if the schools could tap into
the volunteer energy of Madison, both community members and struggling students could benefit from having a strong literacy tutor program in place. Two, to increase and improve school and family partnerships in literacy. In order to accomplish these goals, the project wrote and received a grant for 21 VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America) to act as volunteer coordinators and literacy advocates at local elementary
schools. Now in its ninth year, the grant has ended, but through funding provided by United Way of Dane County, the project continues. This is the second year of the expansion into the Sun Prairie Area School District. The goals for Sun Prairie remain consistent with the goals of the Madison
Schools of Hope Project.

Contact people:

Brady Sturtevant, Volunteer Coordinator, (608) 834-7322, (email) Jevin Boardman, Volunteer Coordinator, (608) 834-7525, (email)

Address:

501 S. Bird Street Sun Prairie, WI 53590 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.mmsd.org/soh

Miscellaneous Information

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	No

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