Presentation of A Framed Copy of Bill #4840 (The High School Equivalency Diploma Accessibility Act)

Jay Blankenship, Jennifer Lackey, Monnie Broome

The Greenville Regional Education Center Partners with the Book Buddy Club Initiative

The Greenville Regional Education Center Partners with the Book Buddy Club Initiative

The Greenville REC provided book bags for 22 3^rd -5^th grade students who participated

the Book Buddy Club Summer program that was held June 17^th – 24^th at Springfield Baptist

Church in Greenville, SC . The two week program summer program targeted

Elementary students from rising grades 3^rd – 5^th grade who live in poverty. At least 70% of

the program participants were low income.

Current national statistics show that 17% - 22% of school aged children have reading problems. Among low-income families, the number is likely higher (retrieved from http://www.augustineproject-upstatesc.org/statistics.php). Children do not outgrow poor reading: 74% of poor readers in 3^rd grade are still poor readers in 9^th grade.

In Greenville County, 27% of children are considered “not ready” in first grade reading. 65% of the county’s African-American children are considered “not ready” for first grade reading. 22% of 4^th grade students in Greenville, SC perform below level on the South Carolina PACT Reading Test. 62% of families with low income do not have books in the home (source: Lapsits for Early Literacy).

Being able to read well is important to doing well in school and in life. Literacy levels are indicators of academic success. Children who have access to books and enjoy reading may have higher literacy levels. Children from the lowest income communities may not have books of their own which might impact reading abilities. The Book Buddy Club plans to help students begin to enjoy reading and provide participants with books of their own.

Based on the success of the initial pilot program, the reading program will be implemented in Charlotte, NC.