Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 7, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Kim Schmanke, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 360-725-6015

Gov. Gary Locke, Superintendent Terry Bergeson Announce Washington Reading Corps Grants for 2003-05; New Figures Show Continued Increase in Number of Students Served, Volunteers

Gov. Gary Locke and Terry Bergeson, state superintendent of public instruction, today announced the Washington Reading Corps grant recipients for 2003-05. Locke and Bergeson also promoted the continued success of the program, based on new figures just released.

The Reading Corps began in 1998 to improve the reading abilities of K-6 students across the state through research-based tutoring of struggling readers and effective collaborations among schools, families, community members, national service organizations, and business and state partners.

The state Legislature this year authorized $7.4 million for the Reading Corps for 2003-05. Grants are being awarded to 135 applicants from 135 schools across the state (125 are returning schools and 10 are new applicants). Some schools will receive further assistance from AmeriCorps and VISTA members of the Washington Service Corps.

The Reading Corps will receive $2.8 million in federal AmeriCorps funds from the Corporation for National and Community Service for 2003-04 – one of the highest levels of national service program funding. The organization characterizes the Reading Corps as effective, well run, and with a history of positive results.

“Reading is the key to all academic success,” Locke said. “The Washington Reading Corps is instrumental in helping struggling students learn to read at their grade level or better. I strongly encourage people to invest in our future by volunteering to help our children learn to read. Giving just one hour a week can make a big difference in the life of a child.”

Bergeson said, “The success of the Washington Reading Corps is due to the strong collaboration between businesses, communities and schools to make sure students build a solid foundation for their futures. Volunteers play a vital role in helping these young readers understand the importance of reading as a skill both for educational success and lifelong learning.”

Locke and Bergeson today also promoted the success of the Reading Corps. The program continues to grow in the number of students served and volunteers. As of June 2003, cumulative participation in the Reading Corps during the 2002-03 school year was as follows:
· 13,423 students (115 percent of the student goal set for 2002-03)
· 10,896 adult and student tutors (124 percent of the volunteer tutor goal set for 2002-03)
· $546,205 in community contributions (102 percent of last year’s end total of $533,215)

For the 2003-04 school year, the Reading Corps is projected to be established in 135 schools, serve an estimated 9,000 students and recruit some 7,300 adult and student volunteers.

The 2003-05 grant applications were reviewed by representatives from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Educational Service Districts, the Washington Service Corps, and the Washington Commission for Community and National Service. The team considered each school’s demographic information including the three-year reading average on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), 2002 free and reduced lunch percentage, statewide focused assistance identification and participation, and 2002 English Language Learners and mobility percentages.

For a list of the 2003-05 grant recipients and more information relating to the Reading Corps, please visit the OSPI Web site at www.k12.wa.us/readingcorps or the governor’s Reading Corps Web site at www.governor.wa.gov/reading/index.htm.

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