UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST ALASKA

"Up to fourth grade, you learn to read; after fourth grade, you read to learn,” goes an old elementary education maxim. Turns out, modern science agrees.

Research indicates most students spend kindergarten through the end of their third grade years acquiring basic reading skills. Beginning in fourth grade, however—and continuing on through high school—they employ these skills to research, problem-solve, think critically, act upon ideas and share knowledge.

The problem is, two-thirds of American fourth graders currently read below grade-level. These students will likely remain poor readers for the rest of their academic careers—studies show that without intervention, nearly 75% will never catch up. What’s more, they tend to fall behind in other subjects, as well. Not only does this erode high school graduation rates; it can lead to behavioral and social problems carried well into adulthood.

"Clearly, reading is a building block to life success,” says Wayne Stevens, President of United Way of Southeast Alaska. Teaming up with corporate sponsor Coeur Alaska, United Way runs the fledgling LEARN UNITED: Reading Tutor Program, specifically targeting early childhood literacy in Juneau, with future sights set on the entire region.

The LEARN UNITED: Reading Tutor Program works with the public school system to provide constructive guidance, positive encouragement and a literacy-rich setting for elementary school-aged children.