The
Greenville Regional Education Center Partners with the Book Buddy Club
Initiative
The
Greenville REC provided book bags for 22 3rd -5th grade
students who participated
the Book
Buddy Club Summer program that was held June 17th – 24th
at Springfield Baptist
Church in Greenville, SC . The two week
program summer program targeted
Elementary
students from rising grades 3rd – 5th 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 3rd
grade are still poor readers in 9th 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 4th
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.
