More than Sixty Percent of Children Showed Major Improvement after Participating in the Program

7-year-old Ethan reads a book during his afterschool literacy program.

Many kids living in poor, rural parts of the United States are struggling to keep up academically because they don't have the same opportunities to learn and grow as other children.

This year, through Save the Children's literacy program, nearly 15,000 children were given an opportunity to become better readers. More than 60 percent of children showed major improvement after participating in the program and the percentage of children reading at or above grade level nearly doubled from the start of the school year to the end. Children also read an average of 64 books throughout the school year.

How We Help Children

There's an average of one book for every 300 kids in a low-income neighborhood. In a middle-class neighborhood there are 13 books for every child. More than 60 percent of low-income families have no books at all in their homes for children, and more than 50 percent of low-income rural fourth graders read below grade level, compared with the 38 percent national average. If we want to give the 1 in 5 children in rural America who live in poverty the same opportunities as other children, they will need help.

Save the Children's literacy program gives children the guidance and tools they need to become better readers. During the 2009-2010 school year, we will reach children in nearly 150 schools in twelve states.

Our staff works in groups and one-on-one with struggling readers to help improve their reading skills. Through structured tutorials and literacy activities we help children build their vocabulary and reading comprehension. We work with struggling readers to identify trouble spots and foster a love of reading.

Learn more about our U.S. Programs.