Taking Initiative

United Way of the Lowcountry set out to make a difference about this sobering fact: Children who are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade are four times as likely to drop out of high school, according to an Annie E. Casey Foundation report. For the worst readers, those who have not mastered the basic skills by third grade, the rate is nearly six times greater, the report stated.

The organization started taking action at the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year by teaming with the Beaufort County School District to head up a program called Early Grade Reading Initiative. It wasn't long before young students began to show improvement in their reading skills, with guidance from the volunteer tutors.

 "We have proven we've already had an impact," said James Chisolm, United Way board member and chairman of the education impact committee. Indeed. The proof is in the students' improved test scores in the reading portion of the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP). According to school officials, the scores showed a 98 percent improvement rate in Jasper County and a 97 percent improvement in Beaufort County. "While the reading initiative was only one of the variables that touched the students, the response from principals was so positive, the decision was made to continue the program and add another elementary school," said Mary Ellen Parks, Director of Elementary Education at the Beaufort County schools.

This school year, the initiative is facilitating six of the seven Beaufort County and both of Jasper County elementary schools. The selected students work with volunteers an average of three days a week. The 30-minute sessions are either one-on-one or in pairs. Last year, the program served 92 Beaufort County and nearly 50 Jasper County students in a total of seven schools. The target grades are kindergarten through third grade, with the intention of adding fourth graders, if the volunteer pool becomes large enough.

The program was due to start up again at the end of September, after testing and assessment were made to determine students in need. "With the schools' expertise, we are taking the second-core child. Those are the students who don't receive interventions and fall between the cracks," said Bethany Marcinkowski, United Way of the Lowcountry's Director of Education Impact.

The reading initiative idea took flight in 2011 when the local United Way chapter followed the lead of United Way worldwide's focus on education, health and income. While the United Way of the Lowcountry's generous funding includes upwards of 40 agencies and services, it made a conscious effort to transition into community impact, Bethany explained. Because it was unreasonable for the organization to tackle all three issues at one time, the consensus was that most people thought education was on the top of the list, Bethany said.

 "The big goal, and this is a goal among many United Ways as well, is to reduce the high school drop out rate by 50 percent in 10 years" Bethany said. "We have to strategically come up with how we are going to do this. And it starts with reading on grade level." Another goal is to insure that at least 80 percent of the students are reading at grade level by the time they reach fourth grade. According to the Beaufort County schools' data services department, 69.8 percent of Beaufort County students were reading on or above grade level by the end of third grade, as measured by spring 2013 MAP. Jasper County schools' percentage was not available.
The program's success is also measured by its volunteer pool. During the first year, about 175 people gave their time, which could be one day a week. The program received further validation in August when it was awarded a $235,000 AmeriCorps grant, allowing the hiring of 41 members who will be required to tutor a minimum of three days a week. AmeriCorps personnel range in age from 20 to those in their 70s. "The tutors fall in love with these kids. They can wait to see them," Bethany said. "The kids know thvey are going to be seen and get one-on-one attention." It truly is a win-win for everyone.

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Making a Difference: Goals for the Beaufort County School District/United Way of the Lowcountry Early Grade Reading Initiative program:

• Insure that at least 80 percent of the students are reading at grade level by the time they reach fourth grade.
• Increase the one-time graduation rate and decrease the high school dropout rate by 50 percent by 2022.
• Increase the number of students who are provided intervention. About 150 students were served during the 2012-13 inaugural year.
• Increase volunteer tutor work force to 600.

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Reading Program Tutors Needed: To find out more about becoming a volunteer tutor with the Early Grade Reading Initiative, call Bethany Marcinkowski at United Way of the Lowcountry at 843-837-2000 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..