Love Reading? Volunteer Opportunities Phoenix Elementary School District

Phoenix Arizona Volunteer Opportunities

The pandemic has significantly impacted education in Phoenix, with only 25 percent of third graders passing their reading assessment in 2022—the lowest rate in seven years. This means approximately 13,000 third graders are not reading at grade level. The “COVID-19 slide” has exacerbated learning losses, particularly in low-income communities, widening the gap in literacy achievement.

Key Takeaways

1. Persistent Literacy Challenges: Despite slight improvements, third-grade reading proficiency in Phoenix remains below pre-pandemic levels, with only 43 percent of students passing in 2024.
2. Community Involvement is Crucial: Programs like Experience Corps Phoenix, which leverage the skills of older volunteers, are vital in helping children improve their literacy skills and close the achievement gap.
3. Impact of the Pandemic: The “COVID-19 slide” has exacerbated literacy challenges, particularly in low-income communities, highlighting the need for sustained efforts and community support to address these educational deficits.

Volunteer Opportunities in Phoenix for those 50 or older.

Experience Corps Phoenix, in collaboration with the AARP Foundation, trains volunteer tutors aged 50 and older to help children become proficient readers by the end of third grade.

This program leverages the skills and dedication of older Arizonians to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed in school and life. The results are promising: 97 percent of students receiving one-on-one coaching through the City of Phoenix AARP Foundation Experience Corps Phoenix have shown improvements in critical literacy skills.

In 2019, 114 volunteers supported 13 local Phoenix schools, but more help is needed. Phoenix residents are invited to learn about volunteering with the City of Phoenix AARP Foundation Experience Corps program by attending one of the upcoming virtual information sessions. These sessions are held on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the following dates: June 15 and 29, July 13 and 27, and August 10 and 24. For more information, please visit AARP Foundation Experience Corps.

Older Volunteers are Needed

Despite efforts to improve literacy rates, the 2023 data shows no significant change in third-grade reading proficiency. According to the Arizona Department of Education, 41 percent of Arizona’s third graders passed the statewide assessment in 2023, consistent with the previous year’s results but still below pre-pandemic levels.

Chronic absenteeism remains a critical issue, contributing to stalled progress in reading scores among third graders. This underscores the continued need for community involvement and support to help young students develop essential literacy skills. Besides, what could be better than “INSPIRING” a young mind with the gift of reading?

Help: Give a Child a Chance

In 2024, the third-grade reading scores show a slight improvement. Preliminary data from the Arizona Department of Education indicates that 43 percent of third graders passed the ELA assessment, a modest increase from 2023. While this progress is encouraging, it highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing literacy gaps exacerbated by the pandemic.

Efforts such as those by the Experience Corps Phoenix are crucial in sustaining and accelerating this positive trend. Chronic absenteeism and foundational disruptions during the early grades continue to pose significant hurdles, reinforcing the need for dedicated community engagement and support for literacy programs​ (Arizona Department of Education)​​ (i-Ready)​.

How Much Does Phoenix Elementary School District Spend?

The Data for the table below is taken from the Arizona Auditor General for Fiscal Year 2023 Reports.

Per student spending For Phoenix Elementary School District by Area

Compare District’s FY 2023 spending to:  District’s FY 2022 spending (1-year comparison)

In conclusion

The literacy crisis among Phoenix’s third graders underscores the urgent need for community engagement and support. Programs like Experience Corps Phoenix offer a valuable opportunity for older adults to volunteer.

With slight improvements seen in 2024, sustaining and building upon these efforts is crucial to ensure all children have the foundational literacy skills necessary for their academic and life success.

Addressing issues such as chronic absenteeism and providing targeted support can help bridge the literacy gap and set Phoenix’s children on a path to brighter futures. Your involvement can make a difference—consider joining the cause today. For more information, visit phoenix.gov/education/experience or email [email protected].

The time is here to give back a little and use your experience and wisdom to impact young students’ reading proficiency. You just might find something missing in your life you were looking for.

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