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Date: 8/31/2022
SPRINGFIELD – The reading proficiency program Reading Success by 4th Grade is relaunching in Springfield. The program is set to officially return in early 2023.
Reading Success by 4th Grade debuted over 10 years ago as an outgrowth of The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation-inspired Cherish Every Child initiative. The Cherish Every Child initiative initially worked as a supportive pillar for early education infrastructure, as well as helping to create new community engagement aimed at boosting lagging proficiency in Springfield public schools.
The idea of an reading program spurred from John Davis, the director of The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation. After reviewing low reading scores in the city, Davis questioned, “where is the outrage?”
This question and the success of the Cherish Every Child program allowed the Davis foundation to focus on reading proficiency in the city. Reading Success by 4th Grade became a member of The Campaign for Grade Level Reading – a national effort to raise reading scores by third grade to set students up for achieving success in their academic careers. The program connected with parents, students and teachers alike in a holistic approach to student’s success.
Paul Belsito, the current executive director of The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, discussed the motivations behind the program’s relaunch. Belsito cited a few reasons, including increased need created by the coronavirus pandemic and Belsito and the Davis Foundation’s desire to further their educational aid efforts.
“We’ve learned a lot the last two years about the needs in our communities and the ways community can help support, in this case, children and families … [we] wanted to continue to lead in the space. We’ve always been in the forefront of convening the community around this,” said Belsito in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
After joining the Davis Foundation two years ago, Belsito underwent a listening tour to greater understand the needs of the community.
“What I heard loud and clear is ‘we want to do more,’” said Belsito.
Belsito shared the relaunch is building upon the foundation of Reading Success by 4th Grade’s initial success. The relaunch will include updated technologies while acknowledging the current state of delayed academic progress
“There is an opportunity here to reevaluate the way we deliver education and meet kids where they are … the activities we were doing five or six years ago might not be the same activities that we need to be doing today,” said Belsito.
Belsito said he is spearheading the program’s return, including an ongoing search for a director to lead the program. Once hired, Belsito explained that person will connect with the community to better understand modernized means for addressing reading proficiency.
Ultimately, Belsito envisions the relaunch as a continuation of Reading Success by 4th Grade’s initial results.
“At the end of the day, we want to make sure kids are reading at grade level in order to prepare them for career and college readiness. … It should be a focus area to launch students to be successful in any path they chose,” said Belsito.
Readers can learn more about Reading Success by 4th Grade at https://www.readby4thgrade.com/.