A Collaborative Effort to Boost Literacy Skills
In the bustling city of Fort Worth, Texas, a group of young students gathered around a table, engaged in a game that was not only fun but also served a crucial educational purpose. As they carefully stacked and rearranged labeled blocks, they were not just playing – they were actively improving their reading skills.
This scene unfolded at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County’s Martin Branch, where the LIFT (Literacy Intervention for Fort Worth) program was making a significant impact on the lives of local students. Launched in May, the LIFT program was a collaborative effort between Parent Shield Fort Worth, a local advocacy group, and the Boys & Girls Clubs, aimed at providing much-needed after-school academic support to students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Addressing the Literacy Gap
The need for such a program was evident, as data showed that despite over 90% of Tarrant County parents believing their children read at grade level, only half of the children in the county were actually reading at that benchmark. This disparity highlighted the importance of early reading intervention, a crucial factor in a child’s academic success.
“The need cannot be overstated,” said Vernessa Evans, the lead consultant of the LIFT program and a doctorate in education. “When we first assessed the students, we found that 64% were not reading at grade level. Then we would talk to the parents — many had no idea.”
Tailored Instruction and Engagement
The LIFT program aimed to bridge this gap by providing structured reading intervention twice a week during the school year and four days a week during the summer. The curriculum was designed to address specific areas of need, such as word pronunciation and sentence structure, and was delivered in small groups based on age or reading level.
Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, the executive director of Parent Shield Fort Worth, emphasized the program’s focus on building relationships with both students and their parents. “The approach really worked not only for closing those gaps, but also really building the relationships with and between a lot of the students,” she said. “Interventionists were able to build real relationships with their parents. Parents were more open to feedback.”
The engaging activities, like the heart word Jenga game, were instrumental in making learning fun and captivating the students’ attention. Juanita Aldama, a LIFT program interventionist, witnessed the positive impact firsthand: “I’ve seen the reading come easier to them, and it’s so rewarding to see the kids actually excited about reading and learning.”
Tangible Results and Lasting Impact
The LIFT program’s efforts paid off, with the final data showing a one-and-a-half-year growth in reading skills from the pre-assessment to the post-assessment. Nancy Horne, a parent whose daughter Olivia Dawson participated in the program, saw a remarkable transformation in her child’s academic performance and confidence.
“She came home saying ‘literally’… she came home calling things permanent,” Horne said. “It’s like I already have a teenager.” Olivia, who initially struggled with Cs or Ds in reading, finished the last six weeks of school on the A-B honor roll, a testament to the program’s effectiveness.
Uncertain Future and the Need for Continued Support
Despite the program’s success, its future is uncertain, as the initial funding has now been depleted. Dorsey-Hollins emphasized the critical need for securing additional funding to not only continue the LIFT program but also expand it to reach more students in need.
“We’re definitely looking to secure more funding so that we can hopefully expand and then just do the same thing in more locations with more students,” Dorsey-Hollins said.
Parents like Horne are eager for the LIFT program to continue, as they have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact it can have on their children’s lives. “If they offer it again, I will definitely sign up. It’s been a game-changer for my kids,” Horne said.
As the Stanley Park High School community strives to provide the best educational opportunities for its students, the story of the LIFT program serves as a powerful reminder of the difference that targeted intervention and community collaboration can make in addressing the literacy gap and empowering young learners.
Fostering a Culture of Literacy
The LIFT program’s success highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of reading challenges and empowering parents to be active participants in their children’s education. Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, the executive director of Parent Shield Fort Worth, emphasized this point, stating, “Just saying read to your kids at home, that’s not the answer. We have to dig a little bit deeper than just reading. We have to get some intervention in place. We have to do what works.”
By creating a supportive environment that combines engaging activities, small-group instruction, and strong parent-teacher relationships, the LIFT program demonstrated the transformative power of targeted literacy interventions. As the Stanley Park High School community continues to prioritize academic excellence, programs like LIFT can serve as a model for fostering a culture of literacy and empowering students to reach their full potential.
Lessons Learned and the Path Forward
The LIFT program’s temporary closure due to funding constraints serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by educational initiatives that aim to make a lasting difference. However, the program’s successes have not gone unnoticed, and the lessons learned can inform future efforts to support struggling readers.
One key takeaway is the importance of community partnerships and collaboration. By working closely with the Boys & Girls Clubs, Parent Shield Fort Worth was able to reach students and families who may have otherwise fallen through the cracks. This holistic approach, combining academic support with a nurturing environment, proved to be a winning formula.
As the Stanley Park High School community looks to the future, the story of the LIFT program serves as an inspiration and a call to action. By investing in targeted literacy programs, engaging parents, and fostering a culture of reading, the school can empower its students to overcome obstacles and unlock their full academic potential.
While the LIFT program’s funding challenges have created a temporary gap, the determination and passion of the community members who championed its success remain. With continued support and a steadfast commitment to addressing the literacy gap, the legacy of the LIFT program can live on, ensuring that every child in Tarrant County has the opportunity to become a confident and enthusiastic reader.
