Male Literacy Initiative

Male Literacy Initiative

Male Literacy Initiative

Problem

According to the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Report Card of Fourth Grade Reading in Illinois 56 % of Black students were below basic reading levels, with 44% of Black students at or above basic reading levels; 14 % of those students reading proficiently and only 2 % of Black students reading at an advanced level. Comparatively, only 23% of White students were reading below basic levels, with 77% at or above basic reading levels; 42 % reading proficiently and 12 % reading at an advanced level.

Reference:

Reading 2007 State Snapshot Report (Illinois, Grade 4, Public Schools). nces.ed.gov/NationsReportCard/

Though these recent findings are alarming for all Illinois Black Children, Black Males historically have suffered immensely as of their inability to read, write, speak, and comprehend (literacy). The impact is far reaching. As a result many Black Males lack opportunities that increased literacy would afford them, like higher paying jobs, greater self-efficacy, and self confidence. Many become discouraged with learning in latter school years and drop out or underachieve.

Vision

To significantly impact the state of Black Men in Alton Illinois by taking a proactive approach to learning, self efficacy, self confidence and esteem. Through the power of reading this initiative will increase overall school performance through out school years, increase high school retention rates of Black Males, increase higher learning via college, university, or specialized trade schools/programs for Black Males; solidify the Black Family unit as mother, father, and child; and increase the employment rates and socio-economic status for Black Males. This initiative will also significantly reduce the disproportionate number of Black Males in Special Education Programs, drug use and addiction, juvenile delinquency, and criminal activity in Black Males in Alton Illinois.

Mission Statement

Increase the ability to read, write, speak, and understand words in Black Male Students kindergarten through fourth grade in the Alton School District.

2009 Goals for the Black Male Literacy Initiative

(***This is where I need help. What would be a realistic goal projection here?)

  • Engage X number of Black Male Students per quarter.
  • Retain X number of program participants each quarter.
  • Increase the reading level of X percentage of Program Participants by X number of levels each quarter.
  • Read X number of pages a quarter.

Logistics of the Literacy Initiative

  • During barbershop hours children can come and read books in local Barbershops written by and/or about minorities.
  • The reading nooks would be accessible to all children in the Alton community despite ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, etc. However, the initiative is geared towards Black Males and the incentives would only be available for them.
  • After reading, they would sign a book log located in the reading nook that will track individual reading.
  • Pages read would be equivalent to points the boys can cash in to obtain incentives through out the community; i.e. food items, movie tickets, gift cards, etc. This is the same concept of the “Pizza Hut” and “Raging River” reading programs already in existence in the district.
  • Parents of Participants would be asked to sign an authorization allowing Alton School District's Title I Representative to track reading participation and trends for program evaluation and effectiveness.
  • Once a week there will be an hour group story telling time designated by the Shop Owner in which a Black Male Representative from the community will come and read books to the children.
  • Student Mentor volunteers will work with children during the hour reading time on comprehension, spelling, speaking, etc.
  • Once a quarter a family fun activity surrounding reading will be planned and implemented to ensure family incorporation of values learned in program

Collaborative Agreements

  • Barbershops in Alton area will allow limited space for children to read books during normal shop hours. This would include a group story telling time each week designated by the shop owner.
  • Parents of Black Male Students committed to bringing their children to utilize the reading nook and its resources.
  • Alton School District's Title I Representative to track reading participation and trends for program evaluation and effectiveness.
  • Black Males volunteers from the community that will dedicate one hour to reading to the group of children during story telling time.
  • Student volunteers that will work with children for an hour a week on comprehension, spelling, speaking, etc.
  • Community business owners that would support the literacy initiative by creating reading incentives honored at their establishment.
  • Utilize funding via Mocha Mom's, Community Business Donations, AHS Black Alumni, Hayner Public Library to get initiative going until community grant can be established.
  • Consultation services provided by local Black Attorney willing to advise Project regarding any legal concerns or liabilities.
  • Literacy Initiative Community Consulting Committee that will meet once a quarter for consultation purposes. Committee would consist of the Barbershop Owners, Black Male Community Member, Parent of Black Male Student, Hayner Public Library Representative, Alton School District Representative, Alton High School Black Alumni Representative, Student Volunteer Representative, Community Business Owner, Legal Representative, etc.

Need Your Help

With this vision in mind…where do we go from here?

How can we get books?

How can we get funding or donations to rehab space in shops for the reading nooks?

What other ideas do you have to make this happen?

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