Lubbock joins nationwide campaign for Grade-Level Reading

July 31, 2019 | Source: Fox34 News

 

LUBBOCK, Texas -

Spending one hour a week reading with a child could increase their reading-level by almost three levels, according to the Lubbock Area United Way.

To improve reading skills, United Way has partnered with Lubbock ISD, Frenship ISD and Lubbock-Cooper ISD through Start Smart. It's a program focused on increasing literacy throughout the Lubbock area.

Ashley Ammons, Vice President of Community Impact, said nearly one third of kids are not ready to start kindergarten. She said starting early is key.

"And when you start it early it's going to create a love in reading for the kids," she said. "The kids will see how important it is. But it won't just be 'oh, I have to read.' It's 'oh, I get to read; I get to go to the library; I get to check out a book; I get to look at the books I have in my home now.' And that's one of things that we worked with our sponsors on is because we want books in homes."

United Way also promotes reading through its United We Read Campaign. It'll be in September, with volunteers reading to nearly 4,000 second graders.