Leaps in Literacy

Leaps in Literacy is a comprehensive literacy program which will serve more than 500 children in the urban communities of Brockton and Taunton, Massachusetts utilizing the nationally recognized Reading Coach Method to ensure that participating children significantly increase their ability to read.

To combat reading difficulties experienced by Brockton area children, the Old Colony YMCA implemented Leaps in Literacy in three Brockton Elementary Schools in 1997. The program has shifted its focus to "Early Intervention" and is currently working in one Brockton Elementary schools and the Old Colony YMCA Child Care centers.  Leaps is a successful collaboration involving the YMCA, our Community Based Child Care Branch, the Brockton School system, AmeriCorps, and local volunteers.

Leaps in Literacy is supported by a Federal AmeriCorps Grant, combined with private and other funding sources. Income for the program provides for AmeriCorps members (salary and living allowance) who recruit, train and supervise the volunteers, as well as tutor themselves.  In addition, each AmeriCorps member is either a site coordinator, volunteer recruitment specialist or a family outreach coordinator for their child care site or school.

Using the nationally proven Reading Coach Method of tutoring, preschool, first, second and third graders who are reading below grade level are tutored daily, four days a week, from October through June. Tutors are AmeriCorps Members and senior (age 55+) volunteers. Based on a pre and post-testing of the Basic Reading Inventory Test, the Leaps students will increase their reading levels an average of 2.5 levels. The "normal" increase would be a 1 level improvement without intervention.

Mark Showan, Director
mshowan@oldcolonyymca.org
Leaps in Literacy Program
60 Skinner Street
Brockton, MA 02302
(508) 894-2816