College and University Student Impact on Local Literacy Program
Presentation Format
Poster
Intended Audience
All Audiences
Presentation Description
In San Antonio, Texas every four minutes a student drops out of high school. Few children in lower income neighborhoods have books and parents who have time or ability to read with their children. This puts children in the urban core school districts of San Antonio at a distinct disadvantage. Research shows that young children who are not fluent readers by the 3rd grade may never catch up to their peers. There is strong correlation between illiteracy and incarceration with 68% of those arrested for crimes in the US being illiterate. San Antonio Youth Literacy works to combat illiteracy by addressing reading at the 2nd grade through an innovative Reading Buddy Program. Community volunteers are recruited to work with a 2nd grade student who is reading below grade level. The school assess the students three times a year to measure progress. On average, students working with a Reading Buddy improve four reading levels.
Since the foundation of the program in 1984 to combat a chronic literacy problem in our city, college and university students have been engaged as reading tutors. As the program has changed and evolved to meet best practices in literacy education college and university students have played a key role in helping the organization expand. This study analyzed data gathered on all college and university students that have worked with SAYL as far back as data was available to capture the collective impact of student tutors on literacy across the region. It also examined two service-learning courses from area universities (one public and one private) to compare and contrast student reflections and feedback about their experiences.
Conference participants will be able to see a strong example of sustainable partnership between a community based organization and area colleges/universities. A model with strong evidence of sustained community impact on literacy will also be highlighted as an example that can be replicated in the participant’s home community. The poster also will demonstrate the importance of data collection and analyses of the collective impact of college and university students with a particular social cause in a community. Additionally poster presenters will be on hand to answer questions and to elaborate upon areas of the study.
Location
Embassy Suites Hotel
Start Date
4-13-2016 5:00 PM
End Date
4-13-2016 7:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Halderman, Brian C. and Flannigan, Mary, "College and University Student Impact on Local Literacy Program" (2016). Gulf South Summit on Service-Learning 2016. 51.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gss/2016/2016/51
College and University Student Impact on Local Literacy Program
Embassy Suites Hotel
In San Antonio, Texas every four minutes a student drops out of high school. Few children in lower income neighborhoods have books and parents who have time or ability to read with their children. This puts children in the urban core school districts of San Antonio at a distinct disadvantage. Research shows that young children who are not fluent readers by the 3rd grade may never catch up to their peers. There is strong correlation between illiteracy and incarceration with 68% of those arrested for crimes in the US being illiterate. San Antonio Youth Literacy works to combat illiteracy by addressing reading at the 2nd grade through an innovative Reading Buddy Program. Community volunteers are recruited to work with a 2nd grade student who is reading below grade level. The school assess the students three times a year to measure progress. On average, students working with a Reading Buddy improve four reading levels.
Since the foundation of the program in 1984 to combat a chronic literacy problem in our city, college and university students have been engaged as reading tutors. As the program has changed and evolved to meet best practices in literacy education college and university students have played a key role in helping the organization expand. This study analyzed data gathered on all college and university students that have worked with SAYL as far back as data was available to capture the collective impact of student tutors on literacy across the region. It also examined two service-learning courses from area universities (one public and one private) to compare and contrast student reflections and feedback about their experiences.
Conference participants will be able to see a strong example of sustainable partnership between a community based organization and area colleges/universities. A model with strong evidence of sustained community impact on literacy will also be highlighted as an example that can be replicated in the participant’s home community. The poster also will demonstrate the importance of data collection and analyses of the collective impact of college and university students with a particular social cause in a community. Additionally poster presenters will be on hand to answer questions and to elaborate upon areas of the study.
Program Abstract
College and university students have had a significant impact on literacy in San Antonio through San Antonio Youth Literacy a non-profit organization that provides reading assistance to elementary children. These students are close to a quarter of the annual volunteer pool. This study analyzed the longitudinal impact of students as far back as data was available. Two service-learning courses that partner with SAYL will be highlighted as examples of how student tutors are engaged.