I'm looking for a program model for a reading stimulus or literacy program that the PTO in my school can use to help underperforming students come up to grade level. The bottom line is this -- our school has an increasing minority, low-income population (from 32%, to 38% in two years), and the honest but unfortunate byproduct of that is dropping test scores and growing behavioral problems. Many of the school's administrators, couselors, teachers, etc. feel that a mentoring/literacy program would be a great help. Because I am a strong proponent of making sure that all children can read, I'm on that bandwagon, but I have no idea where to turn for help.
Ideally, I would like to find a program that utilizes resources which already exist in the community, such as the Adult Literacy Program, the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc. I've heard of a program called "Communities in Schools," but have been unable to get much usable information on it.
Anyway, I'm desperate for some direction here. Advice from anyone will be greatly appreciated! If I just knew who to contact, or what direction to take in my research, I could move forward. My goal is to bring the low-performing students up, and in the process, improve the school as a whole.
C. Adams
PTO prez - Plantation Elementary School
Lafayette, Louisiana