Reading Initiative Calls for Passionate Volunteers

Volunteers ages 50 and older can help children improve their reading skills through the Read On Phoenix program (photo courtesy of City of Phoenix Youth and Education Office).

In 2017, only 30 percent of fourth-grade students in Arizona demonstrated proficient reading skills, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The Read On Phoenix program, developed by the Youth and Education Office of Phoenix, aims to bridge this educational gap by recruiting volunteers to serve as tutors.

Partnering with the AARP Foundation Experience Corps Phoenix, the initiative is enlisting trained volunteers aged 50 and older to support children’s literacy development. This program leverages the skills and dedication of older residents to enhance educational outcomes, ensuring that every child has the tools necessary for academic success. Preliminary results are promising; 90 percent of the students receiving personalized tutoring have displayed notable improvement in their literacy skills. Educators have observed positive changes in student attendance, a decline in disruptive behavior, and greater engagement in class.

Individuals interested in volunteering can learn more about the AARP Foundation Experience Corps program by attending a virtual information session on Wednesday, September 18, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Registration details can be found at www.phoenix.gov/education/experience, where prospective volunteers can also send an email to ecphx@phoenix.gov or call 602-256-4388 for more information.