As the actor, Morgan Freeman, once said, “Literacy could be the ladder out of poverty.” Freeman has performed in so many movies that it feels as if we know him. He’s stolen scenes from Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, Glory and last year’s film, the Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. But one of his most profound lines wasn’t scripted at all—it came from his own experiences.
Morgan’s personal life experience has shown him that a new generation of readers can raise our country above senseless crime, drug use and even teenage pregnancy. Without reading skills, one has only limited, low-paying options—most below the poverty line. For some, it leads to a life of crime. (Consider the literacy facts listed below by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy.)
The recipe to solve illiteracy may seem simple, but it isn’t. It requires daily progress in our school systems that must be measured over years to break this cycle.
Several organizations in the North Bay believe that a public-private solution is needed. Last year, Lisa Amador founded a new program at Sutter Hospital to integrate reading programs for new moms. Sutter’s pediatricians are taking extra appointment time to discuss the necessary benefits and the important power of reading daily to children and tracking the success of their conversations through medical records. Sutter knows that 61% of low-income families have no children’s books in their homes, so each child leaves the doctor’s office with books of their choice to read over and over again. (My wife and I are proud partners of the program and will remain so.)
This year marks a new effort to raise literacy from The Guy Fieri Foundation, Amaturo Family Foundation and the ASMG/NorthBay biz BeCause We Care initiative. We’ve aligned with several middle school principals to “supersize” a reading program known as “Accelerated Reader” (AR) for approximately 400 students in Sonoma County schools. This pilot program began in January and initial results will be available by late April. Collectively, our $300,000 donation toward Accelerated Reader programs will inspire children and reward their families, teachers and schools. It will also fund necessary training to expand this program to all interested schools throughout the North Bay.
The AR program tracks and rewards children for reading books of their choice. Each participant earns a point for each word in the book selected. A short, online quiz then confirms their understanding and comprehension. Goals are individualized, based on the student’s reading level. It’s a win-win for students at every level. Each word a student reads can be redeemed at our newly created school “spirit” stores for t-shirts, books, healthy snacks, blue jeans, sneakers and bicycles. With the support of a financial institution, we hope to offer their very first savings account for “Million Word” readers. From local restaurants, we hope to include dinner vouchers. (Perhaps your business could participate?)
Accelerated Reader’s efficacy is supported by more than 180 academic studies showing that it engages children to become lifetime readers. It frames personalized goals and drives effective and frequent practice. The result is a student with a 200% increase in college and career readiness. Perhaps most important, it imparts upon children pride, accomplishment and a valuable life skill
This year marks the 16th year that Accelerated Reader programs have been led by The Amaturo Family Foundation throughout my hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. My parents, Wini and Joe Amaturo have grown AR to more than 5,000 students at 17 parochial schools. They support the program with a dedicated manager, enthusiastic teachers and very thankful parents. It has been a success for thousands of well-deserving students, and we predict similar results in the North Bay.
Guy and I are committed to working with middle schools to improve reading comprehension and literacy. We’re blessed to have found four local principals to lead this pilot program. We are dedicated to funding, promoting and rallying others to join us in these efforts. Might you be interested in joining us?
For more information about the program, write me at Lawrence@NorthBaybiz.com. Let’s work together toward this initiative.
Literacy Facts
According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, literacy is defined as “using printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential.” Consider these facts:
Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of the 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare.
More than 70% of inmates in America’s prisons cannot read above a fourth-grade level.
3 out of 4 food stamp recipients perform in the lowest 2 literacy levels.
Teenage girls aged 16 to 19 who live at or below the poverty line, with below-average skills, are six times more likely to have children out of wedlock than their reading counterparts.
Source: Literacy Fast Facts, NAAL