Did You Know?

It's an astounding fact, but only 30 percent of Arizona fourth grade students were reading proficiently in 2017, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The City of Phoenix is working to fix this problem, but we need YOUR help.

Working with AARP Foundation Experience Corps Phoenix, trained volunteer tutors aged 50 and older are helping children become proficient readers by the time they finish third grade. The program taps into the experience and passion of older Arizonans to ensure that every child has a chance to succeed in school and life.  And so far, it's working!  90 percent of the students who receive one-on-one coaching with AARP Foundation Experience Corps Phoenix have shown significant improvement in critical literacy skills.  Teachers report that the tutors make a positive impact on attendance, reducing disruptive behavior, and increase participation. 

Read On Phoenix is part of the statewide effort of Read On Arizona, a partnership of agencies, philanthropic organizations and community stakeholders committed to creating an effective range of services to improve language and literacy skills for Arizona's children.

AARP Foundation Experience Corps currently serves more than 32,000 students nationwide.  Phoenix is the 22nd city to offer AARP Foundation Experience Corps in its public schools.​