On August 28, 1996, President Clinton, recognizing that children are our nation’s greatest asset and its future, announced the America Reads Challenge. This unprecedented initiative calls on all Americans -- parents, educators, libraries, religious institutions, universities, college students, the media, community and national groups, cultural organizations, business leaders and senior citizens -- to support teachers and help ensure that every American child can read well and independently by the end of 3rd grade. You can play an important role in the America Reads Challenge by working with students who need extra help beyond the classroom to read well. Reading is a skill that is developed not only in the classroom, but also in the home and in the community.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is looking for volunteers to work in schools, libraries, etc. to help children improve their reading skills in conjunction with the America Reads Challenge. The fundamental purpose is to expand and compliment existing literary efforts to help all children increase their skills and to provide children who need additional help in reading. Forty percent of our nation’s youth are not reading up to their reading level by the time they reach fourth grade, and these statistics hold true in Minnesota as well. Research shows that if students can’t read well by the third grade, their chances for later success are significantly diminished, including a greater likelihood of dropping out, fewer job options, and increased delinquent behaviors.

RSVP is encouraging persons age 55 and older to commit from one to two hours per week at their local school or library to help a child improve his/her reading skills. The volunteer’s duties could include one of the following: 1) read stories aloud to children, 2) listen to children read, 3) help children to understand phonics, letters, sounds and words, 4) put on a puppet show or play. Communities where there isn’t a school could start an evening story time at their local senior center.