Readers Are Leaders

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS AN EXTRAORDINARY ASSET IN TAKING ON CHALLENGES AND CREATING A MINDSET TO GROW AND SUCCEED. The fact that the mentoring is not a one-shot effort, that it is a weekly commitment, allows relationships to develop and expectations to take root. Our kids know that their mentors are going to be back—these high school athletes will return again and again to check up on them and support them week after week. The expectations, enthusiasm, and support of the mentors provide clear incentives that make a difference. As reading skills grow and as the kids find books that engage them, a different kind of incentive takes hold and develops a momentum of its own. As the mentoring experience ends, not only will our young students often have a more positive attitude about reading, but they'll also have more confidence in themselves and a more positive sense of belonging in a community that cares.

PARTICIPATION & OUTCOMES


Student athletes in program 252
Elementary students in program 252
Number of reading supported hours provided (based on 17 hours per student) 4,284

This year 98% of our student athletes successfully completed their commitment to mentoring in the Readers Are Leaders program. (Usually a small percentage of our athletes are dropped from a team due to eligibility requirements.)

SURVEY OF OUR FAIRFAX COUNTY STUDENTS

The following reflects input from the 128 Fairfax County students working with Readers Are Leaders

  • The percent of elementary students who reported enjoying reading in November was 38%.
  • The percent of elementary students who reported enjoying reading in June as a result of this experience was 72%.
  • The percent of student athletes who reported feeling connected to their commnity in November was 50%.
  • The percent of student athletes who reported feeling connected to their commnity in June as a result of this experience was 75%.

READING IMPROVEMENT

Growth for Elementary Students Participating in Readers Are Leaders in 2008-09

The graph below indicates the growth in students who are reading at or above grade level in each county.

  • In Fairfax County, 30% of our students were reading on grade level in November.
  • In Fairfax County, 60% of our students were reading on grade level in June.
  • In Prince William County, 54% of our students were reading on grade level in November.
  • In Prince William County, 73% of our students were reading on grade level in June.
  • In Arlington, 33% of our students were reading on grade level in November
  • In Arlington, 53% of our students were reading on grade level in June.

READING GROWTH

The graph below indicates the cumulative growth in reading scores for 184 elementary students, whom we tracked from November 2008 through June 2009, using test scores (DRA and/or SOL data). For another 68 of our students, data were unavailable.











BOOKS FOR OUR KIDS

The graph below indicates the number of books that our elementary school students received each year, based on each student receiving four books.