A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

     FOR RELEASE                             Contact:  Jim Bradshaw      March 21, 1996                                    (202) 401-2310

Helping Garrison Elementary Students Learn to Read

A team of volunteers from the U.S. Department of Education will soon begin helping students improve their reading skills at Garrison Elementary School in northwest Washington, D.C., Deputy Education Secretary Madeleine Kunin announced today.

Starting March 27, the group will spend about 30 minutes twice a week reading to the students, helping them comprehend the stories, working on pronunciation, and improving their writing skills.

"Few things in life are more important than adults taking time to help children improve their reading and writing skills," Kunin said. "This is the most recent activity begun by the department's three-year-old D.C. Public Schools Initiative."

In late February, Kunin invited employees to volunteer for the project, as part of the department's initiative to enhance the reading and writing skills of children in preschool through sixth grade. Known as READ*WRITE*NOW, the national effort links students with reading partners who encourage them to read and write on their own 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

Response to Kunin's invitation exceeded expectations, with 80 employees offering to volunteer -- more than three times the number required for this initial effort. An initial group of 45 will be paired with students during the school lunch hour, while other volunteers will be used as alternates. If all goes well, the project may be expanded to other D.C. schools later in the year.

Besides helping students with reading, volunteers also will assist the students and teachers in using the school's computer software.

When school ends this summer, the students will receive a certificate for having completed the special tutoring sessions. Students in grades 1-6 at the school will participate, especially those identified as needing extra instruction.

Reading materials will be provided by the department. All volunteers will undergo training before launching the project.