Saint Paul Public Schools and Greater Twin Cities United Way team up to tackle reading proficiency in third-graders
Saint Paul, Minn.- Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) and Greater Twin Cities United Waymade a major partnership announcement April 15, 2009. Through amulti-year partnership, SPPS and Greater Twin Cities United Way (GTCUW)are tackling reading proficiency by supporting all students to read ator above grade level by third grade.
The partnership is expectedto run through the year 2014 and over that time provide an investmentvalued at between $4 million and $6.5 million. It includes one-to-onetutoring, parent engagement efforts and identification in kindergartenof which students might need additional support.
GTCUW and SPPSshare in recognition of research demonstrating that students reading atabove grade level at an early age are more likely to succeed in yearsto come. This partnership is another example of commitment from aStrategic Priority Partner to ensure that SPPS accomplishes its missionof providing a premier education for all.
The plan will be implemented in Saint Paul Public Schools as follows:
- This year ('08-'09) - Pilot in 11 schools (approximately 1,223 students).
- Year two: Add schools at 75% and higher free and reduced-price lunch (Total of 29 schools; approximately 3,266 students).
- Year three: Add schools 50% and higher free and reduced-priced lunch (Total of 36 schools; approximately 3,725 students).
- Year four: Maintain effort at these 36 schools until the gap is closed.
Partneringwith the GTCUW to provide tutors are Minnesota Reading Corps and EastSide Learning Center. A complementary initiative from the Saint PaulPublic Schools Foundation called the Tutoring Partnership for AcademicExcellence, will support reading by third grade at all Saint PaulPublic Schools not served by the GTCUW initiative.