2nd Grade Reading Program

California's current budget process and resource allocation is hindering the ability of our teachers to provide the highest quality of education to their Students. This potentially has a long range negative impact on 2nd Graders.

• Education studies find that for second graders, reading has been long known as a "gateway skill."
• Test scores demonstrate that only students who can read can truly advance in other subjects.
• The Journal of Education Psychology reports, "74% of children who are poor readers in the third grade remain poor readers in the ninth grade."

Los Amigos de los Niños of California, Inc., wants to be part of the solution to ensure all 2nd Graders have the "Gateway Skill" of reading proficiency. We are offering Grants up to $5,000.00 to California school districts to subsidize reading programs specifically targeted for children with poor reading aptitude. Our Grant Application Requirements are quite simple...

1. Identify how many students are in need; how is it determined they cannot read?
2. Provide a benchmark documenting current reading level
3. Provide a validation there is an improvement in reading proficiency
4. Have students demonstrate their newly developed "gateway skill" by reading their favorite story

Making Progress, One 2nd Grader at a Time...

Each child's circumstance for why they are struggling to read at the 2nd Grade level is unique. We are attempting to provide a means for these children to overcome their individual circumstance so it does not hinder their ability to fully participate in their childhood or preclude them from pursuing life long learning.

Rather than fall further behind in their reading skills because they live out in a rural area and their parents are working long hours to make ends meet, we provide an opportunity for children to understand what the library is and how a library card is a passport to endless adventure. Today...

...yesterday, that was not a realistic option. We applied the Small Group Model methodology to provide each individual with attention to improve their reading comprehension, inference, comparison and contrast skill. Our team of volunteer tutorswere instrumental in helping their young students begin a new relationship with books and gain the confidence to read aloud.

"Our child is now eager to do home work assignments as compared to before the summer reading tutorial program," states the parents of one student. Another family shared with us that they have already noticed their child "has more confidence in reading now."

The Board of Directors extend our sincere thanks to Sister Maria del Rey, Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, Mission San Juan Bautista for her dedication to connecting us with children facing significant challenges with their reading ability.>
– Los Amigos de los Niños of California, Inc. 2nd Grade Reading Program