The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a one-year pilot summer tutoring program at local libraries yesterday. The approval, which came unanimously, followed a proposition by Chair Janice Hahn. Expected to kick off in 2024, this initiative will launch in 36 locations across LA County, aiming to bridge the gap in neglected communities. The motion, an answer to prevalence data, focuses on improving reading and math skills among California's struggling students, predominantly low-income pupils of color, according to the Office of Supervisor Janice Hahn Media Release
Chair Hahn praised the LA County libraries for their efforts as information centers for the public and for their steps towards meeting the palpable need in education. The program aims to provide aid to lagging students while offering summer work opportunities for high school and college students seeking experience. It is hoped that the extra help provided will allow students to quickly back on track, as per the Office of Supervisor Janice Hahn Media Release
The eight-week program is targeted at high-need communities in LA County. Focusing on reading and math for students in the first through eighth grades, it employs the LA County Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative's Racial Equity explorer tool to identify underserved communities. Library staff are to collaborate with local school districts in order to pinpoint prospective program participants. Skye Patrick, LA County Library Director, underscores the intention of this move: establishing equitable access to resources fostering education and lifelong learning.
According to the 2022 California Reading Report Card, the decision to initiate the pilot program was informed by data demonstrating a significant divide in reading and math skills in the California education landscape. The report reveals that 58% of California's third graders are below the required reading level. For low-income students of color, this number increases to a staggering 75%. Early low reading achievements have a strong correlation with poor high-school performances, high drop-out rates, and increased likelihoods of incarceration. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation research further shows the link between proficiency in Algebra 1 by ninth grade and higher rates of graduation, degree attainment, better jobs, and college enrolment.
