|
Reaching
troubled young people through literacy Far too
many American young people, an estimated 3.8 million
between the ages of 18 and 24, have profoundly weak
reading skills, have dropped out of school, and are
unemployed. Nationally, only about two-thirds of all
students who enter 9th grade graduate four
years later with
regular high school diplomas. Disturbingly,
many youth who can’t read are winding up in
prison. Though general studies have long connected
illiteracy and criminal behavior, the numbers for
youth are particularly dismal: 90% of the 11,000
youth in adult detention facilities nationwide have
no more than a 9th grade education, and the average
reading level nationally for ninth grade youth in
correctional facilities is fourth grade. In California, three library literacy programs are taking action to turn this problem around. Through California Library Literacy Services (CLLS), the San Mateo County Library, the Stanislaus County Library and the City of Pomona Public Library, with the support of state leaders including Assembly Member Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) and State Librarian Susan Hildreth, are piloting a 3-year youth literacy program that serves our state’s most at-risk young people by giving them easy ways to navigate out of illiteracy. In spring 2008 San Mateo County Library, Stanislaus County Library and City of Pomona Public Library joined the project whose focus is to attract and tutor English speaking young adults ages 16 -24 who are not attending school and are in danger of joining gangs, or committing crimes. To connect with these young people, literacy staff in the 3 participating libraries will network and partner with community based organizations and social service agencies that serve that population. They will recruit and train tutors and volunteers who specifically want to work with young adults, and literacy staff will develop collections of instructional and support materials especially for this group. The innovative 3-year literacy project supports 2007 legislation which Assembly Member Caballero authored to address the rising number of incarcerated youth without functional literacy skills. Although the original legislation received significant bi-lateral support with both the Senate and Assembly, the bill was ultimately vetoed by the Governor. State Librarian Susan Hildreth and Assembly member Caballero conferred and agreed that addressing youth literacy needs was important and that the CLLS infrastructure was well positioned to carry out this project. The Youth Literacy project will be funded in part by LSTA Federal funds and with local in-kind contributions. For more information about the CLLS Youth Literacy project, please contact the California State Library at (916) 653-5217. [1]
Martin, N., & Halperin, S. (2006).
Whatever It Takes: How Twelve Communities are Reconnecting Out-of-School
Youth.
|
|
|
|