How can you secure a better future for these Sacramento students? Help them embrace reading

The education world has a harsh reality: If a child falls behind on reading skills by third or fourth grade, that student is at high risk of dropping out of school and most likely will struggle to succeed in the workforce.

“That is the critical age, the turning point,” said Edward King, chief program officer for the United Way California Capital Region. “They need to get those core reading skills, that fluency, because everything from then on comes at them fast.”

“You need to learn to read so you can read to learn.”

As hespoke, King stood in a classroom at Bell Elementary School, part of the Robla School District in North Sacramento, watching as a dozen children at computers, many with earphones connected to online tutors, each of them reading out loud.

The chatter is infectious, like the sound of birds in the morning. The students are participating in one of several reading tutoring programs offered by United Way in conjunction with local schools, focused on students who have fallen behind.

“We are here to help them improve so that they can be functional and successful going forward,” King said.

The United Way, a nonprofit, takes an active role in helping “mobilize communities to build a future where everyone can thrive.”

In Sacramento, United Way now wants to add a new dimension to its program in Robla. To do so, it has asked The Sacramento Bee’s Book of Dreams program for donations of $9,000.

The program, called Sac Kids Read, is an extension of the agency’s successful Yolo Kids Read program. United Way will use the money to create a one-day experience designed to bring excitement, fun and a bit of prestige to the act of reading for hundreds of children at two Robla schools.

It includes buying high-quality, socially diverse reading books for children.

Modeled after Yolo Kids Read

In its application to The Bee, United Way writes: “Yolo Kids Read was developed in response to data showing a literacy gap among students in the region, particularly in underserved communities. Input from local educators, community organizations and school districts highlighted a lack of access to age-appropriate books at home as a barrier to reading proficiency. Additionally, national studies have demonstrated the direct link between access to books and academic achievement.

“United Way would like to bring this model to Robla School District, an underserved community with lower literacy rates, but the line item for books is cost prohibitive.”

Teaching reading has become more difficult in recent years. In Sacramento and communities around the country, more elementary school children are struggling with reading. Students were falling behind in reading before COVID, but the percentages have jumped since the pandemic.

“In some districts we serve, we are seeing literacy rates that just fall below what is acceptable,” King said. “In districts like this you will see a 25% deficit in literacy, and that has a direct link to chronic absenteeism.”

The Sac Kids Read event will start with a schoolwide assembly where a local author will read to the students. The students then will be given bags with reading materials including books that are relevant to children of all races and ethnicities, King said.

The children will return to their classes where they will be joined by a “community hero,” such as a local official or community leader, who will read with them and talk about reading.

“It really hones in on the message that reading is fun, reading is important, and the people that they look up to most in their community are also readers, are also reading,” King said. “We want them to get to the joy that is in reading.”

‘It goes a long way’

The new program will be focused on all students at two schools in the Robla district, regardless of reading level. But it will serve as a boost as well for the existing tutoring done already by United Way volunteers at Robla schools.

Yenifer Guzman is education manager for United Way. A graduate of the University of California, Davis, she joined United Way because she likes how the nonprofit agency partners with school districts.

“I can see that it works,” she said of her agency’s efforts. “I can see the progress the kids make throughout the year. When we start with them they are really shy, really hesitant. They are nervous to read out loud. Then at the end of the year, they are a lot more confident. They go from, ‘I don’t want to read, I don’t want to do this’ to asking for help and wanting to learn. They are excited to see their tutors. They are excited for that relationship they get, excited to have that adult that cares.

“Seeing that progress throughout the year is what I love about the program.”

In a corner of the reading room at Bell Elementary last week, Lynnae Sauvage, a volunteer with United Way, sat with three tutees, each bent over their computer screens taking turns reading about the exploits of Fred the Frog.

Seven-year-old Hailey, one of Sauvage’s tutees, sounded out the words: “Fran got a big fat frog. I can name him Fred!”

“Excellent Hailey!” Sauvage said.

Hailey is among the more shy students, Sauvage said, “but she is doing great. She knows most of the words and she can read quite well. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up.”

After her tutoring session, Hailey offered a shy smile. She said she likes reading with Sauvage, and has started reading at home, too. Her favorite books are “Pete the Cat” and “Bad Kitty.”

“I like how we read and we build words,” Hailey said. “(Sauvage) teaches us a lot. She teaches us sounds. I like when I read to students.”

How does it feel when Sauvage tells her she did well. “It’s like, um, good.”

King said United Way continues to look for volunteers willing to offer a half hour of time a few days a week to serve as online tutors. “We can always use more. It’s not a big time commitment, but it is a critical help.”

The United Way request for donations is for a program that is simple, but effective, King said. It is based on good books, good volunteers, good partnerships with schools and parents, and an emphasis on the joy of reading.

“It goes a long way, King said. “We are talking about an effort that produces tangible outcomes for students and their families.”

Book of Dreams

The dream: United Way is asking for funds to start Sac Kids Read, a one-day event designed to bring excitement and fun to the act of reading for hundreds of children

The cost: $9,000

This story was originally published December 20, 2024 at 5:00 AM.