According to the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress, 56 percent of fourth graders and 49 percent of eighth graders in D.C. scored at a below basic level in reading. In mathematics, 40 percent of fourth graders and 56 percent of eighth graders scored at a below basic level. Only about half of the District’s high school students will graduate.
More than 300 GW students are volunteering their time to help change those statistics through a tutoring program called D.C. Reads, established in 1998 under the America Reads Initiative. The program is offered through the university’s Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service.
The volunteers meet up to four times a week with local elementary school students to tutor them in reading and math. Volunteers commit to at least a semester with the program, but D.C. Reads Program Manager Erin Waddle said a majority of GW students stay on for the academic year.
“The tutors are important mentors to the elementary school students,” she said. “The formation of close relationships is typical, so we emphasize the importance of the involvement and only want tutors who understand the responsibility and take it seriously.”
Last Saturday, D.C. Reads hosted 40 first through sixth graders to compete in the third annual D.C. Reads Spelling Bee in GW’s Funger Hall Auditorium. The event offered students from a number of D.C. Reads’ eight community partner sites—including The AnBryce Foundation, CentroNia and Francis Stevens Education Campus—the opportunity to demonstrate their spelling skills and allow family and friends to celebrate with their students.
“Bringing these students to our campus for a big celebration where they can showcase their knowledge is incredibly exciting to all of us at D.C. Reads,” said senior Kate Chaloux, D.C. Reads Spelling Bee chairperson. “I think it is important to give children the chance to shine outside of their schools and communities and bring them into an environment where a larger group of people can praise them publicly for their academic achievements.”
Involved with D.C. Reads for the past four years, Ms. Chaloux has coordinated with D.C. Reads and former community partner Heads Up as a program leader. Her other responsibilities include recruiting tutors, holding reflection sessions for tutors and “spreading the good word” about D.C. Reads around campus.
Although the George Washington volunteers are inspiring to many of the elementary students, Ms. Waddle said GW participants benefit from the experience as well.
“The college students really enjoy being around the elementary school students,” she said. “I think it helps them stay focused on the important things in life when college gets crazy and a grade maybe wasn’t what they were hoping for. It also reminds them that they have the power to impact the world around them when they get involved.”
Sophomore Tyler Losey, a team leader who coordinates with CentroNia and serves as chairperson of D.C. Reads’ marketing and publicity committee, said volunteering with the program has helped him get out of the “GW bubble.”
“This year, I have absolutely loved the management and leadership role I have taken on. It has given me good experience in event planning, communication and other leadership skills,” he said. “It is great to help build an organization, and it has gotten me interested in education policy and public policy.”
Senior Megan Arellano’s relationship with one of her students ended up keeping her at George Washington. When Ms. Arellano first began to tutor Margaret, the girl would put her head on her desk and cry, but Ms. Arellano said she’s seen major improvements in the four years they’ve worked together. Margaret now often writes notes to Ms. Arellano, who keeps them in her wallet and on her fridge.
“What I'll never forget is that she cried when I left for summer vacation [after freshman year] and wanted to know when I was coming back,” said Ms. Arellano, who has also worked with local literacy program For the Love of Children. “At the time, I was considering transferring, but ultimately my emotional investment in her future colored my decision to come back to GW. I came back, and we really bonded.”
Mr. Losey said public service is the perfect way for GW students to get more involved with the community in which they live and study.
“D.C. Reads is a great way to get involved, and the Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service itself is a great community of people and offers numerous opportunities to serve D.C., the country as a whole or even the international community,” he said. “One thing no GW student can say is that there aren’t enough opportunities to participate in service here.”