Read Better Be Better Expands to 36 Valley Schools
Read Better Be Better, a Phoenix nonprofit that helps children improve literacy skills and become better learners, has expanded to serve students in 36 sites throughout the greater Phoenix metro area, an increase from 26 sites in Fall 2018.
RBBB after school programs equip at-risk middle graders and assist struggling third graders by helping them build literacy skills. Third- and middle-grade students work one-on-one in an after-school setting, following a pre-set lesson plan focused on reading comprehension.
Students not reading at grade level by the end of third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school; however, 85 percent of Arizona third graders from low-income families are not reading on grade level.
“Read Better Be Better is built on the belief that all children deserve the chance to succeed and the knowledge that literacy is a stepping stone to academic and life-long success,” said Sophie Etchart, founder and CEO. “If a child can read proficiently by the end of third grade, there is an 89% chance that student will graduate high school, regardless of poverty.”
Kick off for Read Better Be Better’s Spring 2019 semester began the week of January 28 and finished the week of February 11. Each after-school program runs for 10 weeks and accommodates each location’s individual schedule.
