PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 As students head back to school, a nationwide trend continues of children not being able to read at their grade levels. There is a program in Phoenix working to change that, but it needs more volunteers to help students. <\/p>\n
A recent study from WalletHub placed Arizona at 48<\/a> on a list ranking states with the \u201cbest and worst school systems.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cIn Arizona, only 41% of our students are reading at grade level. But in the city of Phoenix, that\u2019s only 30%. So, we know if we really help our city of Phoenix schools, we would raise the statewide average,\u201d said Phoenix Youth and Education Director Tim Valencia<\/a>. <\/p>\n Debbie Grinar became a volunteer for AARP Experience Corps<\/a> a few years ago after retiring. \u201cI love reading, and as a kid, my mom took us to the library every week, practically,\u201d she said. That is why Grinar is dedicated to helping kids develop that same passion. <\/p>\n The program seeks volunteers who at least 50 years old to work one-on-one with children twice a week during the school year. Right now, there are 80 volunteers across Phoenix elementary schools, but the ideal number is 150. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a good reader. Just sometimes, I, like, get stuck because whenever I point (at the words), I\u2019m on track, when I don\u2019t point, I lose track,\u201d said soon-to-be third grader Ysaura Villanueva. <\/p>\n She is one of the students getting extra help with literacy skills through the program. Organizers say 90% of students who go through this coaching see improvement. <\/p>\n \u201cWith some of the inner-city schools, there\u2019s such a big need on kind of the Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs. They need to look at shelter. They need to look at food. Those are the top priorities,\u201d said Gateway Elementary Principal Andy Gutierrez<\/a>. <\/p>\n Not all families can afford to spend money on extra resources like tutoring. This program is accessible and effective. <\/p>\n It is an opportunity not only for learning, but also a chance for older adults to become role models and inspire children. \u201cA book can take you anywhere. You might still be in Phoenix, but you can go wherever that book\u2019s going to take you,\u201d said Grinar. <\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n