Consider: in Montgomery County Public Schools, 3rd grade curriculum assumes students know how to read.  Academic progress from that point on is dependent upon reading comprehension.  If they can’t read, they are behind.

If they are behind, they are likely to stay behind throughout the rest of their school years.  Resources are NOT in place to help them catch up.

A child is four times more likely to drop out of high school if they cannot read.  Illiteracy is tied to truancy, joblessness, crime, etc. down the road.

This Fall 2024, only 55% of entering 3^rd graders in Montgomery County know how to read.

That’s right: 55%.

That’s just over half!

The other half are behind.

Montgomery County Public Schools does NOT have the resources to fix this crisis alone.

It will take help from the community to get our kids reading again!  Will you help?

With the help of local partners, the Germantown Global Connection is opening its 2^nd after-school tutoring program to help struggling 2nd graders in Montgomery County catch up and be ready to read by 3rd grade.

This Fall, we will offer 2^nd graders one-on-one tutoring in the Montgomery Village and West Germantown areas from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Our program features an uplifting, inspiring reading environment with snacks, activities, and lots of loving teens and adults who can individually help with reading skills.

We are looking for volunteers to tutor and to read to our children.  Adults 21 and over are needed to tutor.   Students 16 and older are needed to read to the children and can earn SSL hours.  Volunteers need no prior experience or training.  They need to be fluent in English, literate, will need to complete a four-hour training, receive a background check, and commit to at least one hour/week from October to December on a Monday or Tuesday evening.

Our volunteer tutors form the backbone of this program.  They provide one-on-one instruction to 2nd graders.

Requirements for volunteering to tutor:

1. 1) A love for and willingness to work one hour a week with kids on a Tuesday or Thursday, 5:30 – 7:00.

2. 2) A commitment to one/hour week from October to December.

3. 3) A one-time training session in late September, adults for four hours, students for two hours.

4. 4) A background check for those 18 and over.