ARISE2Read accomplishes this by training volunteers to tutor children one hour a week in a simple sight word program called Team Read. We also promote Good News Clubs at each school and partner with a church in the community to assist them to meet the needs of neighborhood families.

The organization recently completed post-testing students for the 2016-2017 school year and the results revealed outstanding progress in the SCS ARISE2Read schools:

A 142% increase in second graders reading on grade level

An average gain per student of 274 sight words.

ARISE2Read recruits and trains volunteers to tutor using a proven method, Team Read, which was developed in cooperation with SCS. This approach teaches foundational words and provides the personalized reading support students need to read at grade level by third grade.

“Research has shown students who read proficiently by the end of third grade have an 89% graduation rate,” noted Donna Gaines, Founder and President of ARISE2Read, at a recent volunteer event where the 2016-17 results were announced.

“The mission of ARISE2Read is in direct correlation with Superintendent Hopson’s Destination 2025 goal to have a 90% graduation rate. These results show that we are well on our way.”

With the realization of Destination 2025, it is projected that an additional 50,000 individuals will enter the Shelby County workforce with post-secondary degrees.

ARISE2Read Fact Sheet 2016-2017

ARISE2Read Program Guide 2016

ARISE2Read Frequently Asked Questions

Suggested Book List for Donations

More about: Donna Gaines

Founder and President, ARISE2Read