Schools of Hope

If kids can’t read, they can’t succeed…this is the motto for
Schools of Hope, an educational initiative that was launched last
year by United Way of the Wine Country in partnership with the
Volunteer Center.
Sonoma County has a burgeoning problem which will fuel the
existing achievement gap of our Latino population if it is not
addressed, and head on. Statistics show that only 46 percent of our
3rd grade students read at grade level … and of the 54 percent
who do not, research shows that 90 percent never will achieve
proficiency. The statistics for English learners are even more
concerning, with only a 21 percent reading at grade level. As to
the gap, 75 percent of Latino students are not at grade level,
compared to 37 percent of Caucasian/White students … and these
numbers are in line with percentages based on economic status.
These are stark statistics which have prompted local
organizations such as Community Action Partnership, United Way, the
Volunteer Center, County of Sonoma, Sonoma County Office of
Education, a graduate class from California College of Arts Social
Ventures program in partnership with the Press Democrat, and other
community organizations and educators to focus on the best approach
to solving this critical educational and social problem.
Education is the cornerstone of individual and community
success. It is essential for finding and keeping a job with a
livable wage and health benefits. The ability to read is a powerful
predictor of later academic achievement and success in life.
Research shows that a student who is not at least moderately
successful in reading by the end of third grade is unlikely to
graduate high school. Lack of reading success and subsequent school
failure has been identified as a key driver of our community’s
escalating criminal justice costs.
Enter Schools of Hope…
A major community initiative that launched during the 2010-2011
school year, Schools of Hope helps children build the critical
reading skills needed to succeed in school and life. United Way is
leading a coordinated effort to close the reading achievement gap
throughout California’s North Coast by partnering with the
Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, school districts, offices of
education, principals, non-profit organizations, teachers, parents,
literacy experts, businesses and individual donors.
Schools of Hope engages community volunteers with a goal of
raising third grade reading proficiency to at least 90 percent by
2020.
One-on-one tutoring is the centerpiece of the strategy to
increase literacy. Tutor training is provided by volunteers based
on a common training curriculum developed by local reading
specialists and primary grade teachers. In addition, the Schools of
Hope initiative aims to increase family engagement to take learning
beyond the classroom. We know each educational environment is
unique, therefore, we are working closely with school districts,
principals, teachers and parents to ensure Schools of Hope works
with, and enriches, our school district’s existing K-12
curriculum.
In its first year, Schools of Hope was launched in six Sonoma
County elementary schools. More than 260 community volunteers were
recruited, trained and placed at schools to provide at least 30
minutes weekly one-on-one tutoring to kindergarten through second
grade students. At the end of the year, teachers reported that 100
percent of tutored students showed improvement in reading and in
their attitude toward reading. Mid-year assessments also showed a
31 percent increase in the number of tutored students reading at
grade level after 12 weeks or less of tutoring.
In Sonoma County the program will expand to serve second grade
students at all current schools during the 2011-2012 school year.
Three new elementary schools will be added, raising the total need
to 400 volunteer tutors.
I volunteered with Schools of Hope at Roseland Elementary last
year. Working with my student and watching her improve week by week
was an incredibly rewarding experience. I hope that you will
consider joining the volunteer team for the upcoming school year.
If interested in making a difference with Schools of Hope, contact
Barbara Fisher at 573-3399 x122 or bf*****@vo**********.org for
more information about upcoming orientation sessions and trainings.
I can’t wait to get back into the classroom again this school year.
I hope to see you there!
Efren Carillo is President of the Sonoma County Board of
Supervisors.