The Rotary Club of Florence has partnered with the Northern Kentucky Education Council for members to become trained as one-to-one reading mentors.
Trained volunteers become tutors who meet once a week individually with first through third-grade students who are struggling with reading or math.
Julie Pile of the Rotary Club of Florence spoke at the July 13 Boone County Board of Education meeting, where she informed board members that at least 50 club members are currently in training to answer the call for reading mentors.
“We know that reading and kids reading on-level by third grade is a huge factor in the success of their education through their entire life,” Pile said during the public comments section of the meeting. “And so our club is doubling down on that effort.
Pile said members complete five hours of training to become certified and complete an additional 30-minute training monthly to maintain their tutoring certification through the one-to-one program. Those tutors are currently partnering with Stevens Elementary School in Burlington, but Pile said she knows of three additional schools seeking one-to-one tutors as well.
Kentucky Department of Education report card data shows 58% of Boone County Schools’ elementary students were rated proficient or distinguished in reading, which means they are reading at or above grade level.