The Read Indeed! Initiative is a unique collaboration of the United Way of the Lowcountry and the Beaufort County and Jasper County School Districts. Read Indeed! works to increase reading achievement in our community so that children in Beaufort and Jasper Counties are proficient in reading by the time they finish 3rd Grade. By focusing on grades K-3, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of children by giving them tools to achieve their dreams.
Begun in 2012, the United Way’s “Read Indeed!” program has already had an immense impact on children in need in the Lowcountry.
In fact – here’s a brief synopsis of the program’s results:
2014-2015 School Year
Total Students Measured: 461
Additional Students in program: 214 (180- pre-k, 34 did not complete the full year)
Beaufort: 365 students
Jasper: 96 students
Beaufort:
99% of students improved MAP Reading test scores from Fall to Spring
89% made double digit gains (324 students)
38 students had single digit gains and 3 students had no gains
Jasper:
96% of students improved IStation Reading scores from Fall to Spring
77% made double digit gains (74 students)
18 students had single digit gains and 4 students had no gains
Total double digit gains in both counties is 87%
Beaufort County School District: On Grade Level rising 4th graders= 65%
Jasper County School District: On Grade Level rising 4th graders at Hardeeville= 30%, Ridgeland = 52%
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2013-2014 School Year
By the numbers…
-Number of students in Beaufort County Schools who completed participation in the tutoring program: 206
-Number of students in Jasper County Schools who completed participation in the tutoring program: 103
-Total number of students tutored as part of the Early Grade Reading Program: 309
-Students who improved MAP Reading test scores from Fall testing to Spring testing in Beaufort: 201
-This gives Beaufort students and tutors a 98% success rate.
-Students who improved MAP Reading test scores from Fall testing to Spring testing in Jasper: 98
-This gives Jasper students and tutors a 95% success rate.
Based on this success, United Way of the Lowcountry is continually recruiting people with passion, expertise and resources to get the job done. We’re looking for volunteer tutors for students in kindergarten, first, second and third grades at eight area schools.
Working with the school teachers, our volunteers will help elementary students master the art of reading so that 80%– or more! – of them read on grade level when they reach fourth grade.
Just take a moment to watch this video and see what local tutors are doing in the lives of local children!
To sign up as a volunteer reader, tutor, or mentor, please call Bethany Marcinkowski, Director of Education Impact, at 843-837-2000.