Alexandria Tutoring Consortium Seeking Monetary Donations To Help Children Learn To Read
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC), now in its 25th year, has helped countless children learn to read. With their help, 87 percent of first graders participating in the literacy program achieved grade-level reading ability over the last year.
To be able to continue to assist students as it has done, ATC needs community support. They have launched the Back-to-School fundraising campaign. The aim is to get children as young as six years old, who have missed out on valuable learning opportunities because of COVID-19, up to speed. To meet an increasing demand, ATC has set a fundraising goal of $25,000 to expand the program.
“This has been a trying time as the lack of in-school classes has put more rising first graders farther behind than ever,” said ATC Board Chair Frank Stiff. “Despite the challenges, tutors and staff have stayed true to our mission, and the students have benefited.”
Tutoring occurred virtually during the 2020-2021 academic year. Tutors and students adapted. Results collected by ATC showed 87 percent of 155 participating students were reading on grade level and ready for second grade. Ninety-four percent “made substantial progress,” according to a press release.
ATC works with the Alexandria City Public Schools, using a curriculum from the University of Virginia to train volunteers who tutor first grade students in most of the city’s elementary schools, including all Title 1 schools.
Want to donate? Visit alexandriatutors.org and use the “Donate!” button. Checks are also welcome. Make yours payable to the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium. Mail to: 323 South Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.
