Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 1, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke announces results of new study that shows Washington Reading Corps helps boost reading levels for students in all grades

SEATTLE - "Our program to help thousands of children learn to read better is paying off," Gov. Gary Locke remarked today when he announced the results of a new study about the Washington Reading Corps.

"The results of the study show that kids who get this additional help are benefiting in big ways," Locke told a group of educators, volunteers and business leaders at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Seattle.

"Today's study is evidence of the success this program is already having in our schools, and is just a hint of what our students can achieve when we all pull together," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson said as she joined Locke to make this announcement.

The study conducted by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory shows WRC helped improve students' reading levels in all grades, with fifth and sixth graders making the greatest gains. "Between October 1999 and May of this year, our Reading Corps kids started a full year below grade level, but finished the school year almost at a 5th grade norm. Now, those are results," Locke said.

He added the average Reading Corps student in first through sixth grades read significantly below grade level when school started. By the end of the year, their performance was at or near grade level.

"This program is not just about test scores," Locke said. "The evaluation found that tutors were more than just tutors. They were mentors who enriched the learning experience for students." During the 1999-2000 academic year, Reading Corps schools recruited 18,000 volunteers who tutored 26,000 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Locke proposed the Washington Reading Corps more than two years ago, so community volunteers could team up with students and give our children the help they need to learn how to read.

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