AARP Senior Volunteers Ignite a Passion for Reading in Maricopa Students

Students at Stanfield Elementary School are benefiting from an innovative reading program that pairs them with AARP volunteer seniors. This initiative, part of the Achieve Pinal Experience Corps, is expanding its reach in the Maricopa Unified School District (MUSD), which now includes three elementary schools.

Kaitlin Burks, the volunteer manager for the program, emphasizes the organization’s goal to enhance literacy skills across the district. “Each school can have at least five tutors, potentially helping 60 students with twice-weekly sessions focused on improving reading fluency,” she explained. The program aims to assist as many students as possible who need extra help.

Already established in Casa Grande, the program has gained traction in more remote school districts, displaying notable success. “We’ve seen great growth in our students,” remarked Jennifer Murrieta, superintendent of Stanfield Elementary School District, highlighting the positive impact on local children.

Originally launched during the pandemic as a virtual effort, Achieve Pinal Experience Corps has now transitioned to a hybrid model, combining remote and in-person tutoring for students across nine elementary school districts in Pinal County. “This year is Maricopa’s first year with the tutoring program, which began in October and has shown impressive results,” Burks noted.

The program is already serving approximately 270 students, with expectations to reach nearly 300 by January, thanks to the involvement of about 10 paid staff members and close to 100 volunteers. Burks insists that the ultimate aim remains to provide support to every elementary school in MUSD.

All AARP volunteers undergo training as reading tutors, allowing them to collaborate closely with the schools to identify students who will benefit most from the program. Sessions last 30 minutes, taking place twice a week, and are structured to enhance reading fluency.

Burks articulated the methodology, highlighting the use of “evidence-based reading fluency games” that cater to a child’s reading level, thus fostering gradual improvement towards grade-level reading by the end of third grade. The initiative focuses on students from kindergarten through third grade, rooted in the understanding that foundational reading skills are crucial for future academic success.

The program’s intergenerational aspect, facilitated by a partnership with the AARP Foundation, aims to create a pool of volunteers aged 50 and older, enriching the experience for both tutors and students. “They don’t need prior experience to join; we welcome volunteers from various backgrounds,” Burks stated, while also inviting more individuals to participate as reading tutors.