As an organization, we believe that equal access to quality books and cultivating a love of reading are the keys to life long success. School districts across the country are beginning to quantify the impact that prolonged virtual and distance learning has on the literacy scores of elementary students, and an unfortunate and troubling trend is becoming clear: students of color are showing the most significant decline.
Predicted by many, the pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on childhood education, one we may not genuinely grasp for years to come. With this in mind, the Spark Foundation feels a moral obligation to increase our efforts and reach more students than ever before.
With the help of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and Workiva, The Spark Foundation is expanding participation in our Love to Read program from 160 students to nearly 500 students attending Monroe, Moulton, McKinley, and River Woods Elementary schools. This commitment will put more than 1250 books into the community, and ensure students have access to brand new, high-quality books as our students transition back to distant learning.
The books Spark Foundation is putting into the hands of students is unmatched by anyone in the community and we are proud to continue expanding our love to read program. There is a lot of work to be done, but we view every challenge as an opportunity to #SparkChange.