Title
Youth and Education Office Quarterly Update
Description
This report provides the Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee with an update on the Youth and Education Office outcomes and upcoming events.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Report
Summary
The Youth and Education Office builds connections between City services, community resources and public schools to ensure K-12 students receive the support needed to thrive. The office is dedicated to shaping the future of Phoenix youth by managing programs and events that help students develop personal, social and intellectual skills essential for success in school, life and work.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruption to education in Phoenix, highlighting the need for additional support for students and families. According to 2023 assessment data, only 32 percent of Phoenix third graders are reading at grade level, compared to the statewide average of 41 percent proficiency on the Arizona third Grade English Language Arts assessment. This means approximately 14,000 Phoenix third graders are not reading at grade level.
The Read On Phoenix initiative refocused the community’s efforts to reduce learning loss among young children and accelerate progress in school readiness and K-3 literacy outcomes. The initiative centers on four core areas: Kindergarten Readiness, Reading Proficiency by Third Grade, Family Engagement and Chronic Absenteeism.
Kindergarten Readiness and Family Engagement
Phoenix Families First Resource Centers (FRCs) provide safe community hubs for families with children from birth to age five, including pregnant mothers. These centers aim to strengthen families by offering information and referral services, free parent-child activities and parenting education. The four FRCs are in City facilities managed by the Library, Housing and Parks departments. In 2023-24, the centers served 2,402 unduplicated families and provided 1,760 referrals to community resources.
The Phoenix Great Start Program offers free admission to various educational and cultural institutions for children in Title I schools before they enter kindergarten. The program emphasizes strong family engagement to ensure children are ready for kindergarten and reading at grade level by third grade. Parental involvement is crucial as it fosters early literacy development within the community. In 2023-24, the program served 2,220 children and their families across nine cultural and educational organizations, including the Phoenix Zoo, Arizona Science Center, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Desert Botanical Gardens, Musical Instrument Museum, Japanese Friendship Garden, Phoenix Art Museum and S'edav Va'aki Museum.
Reading Proficiency by Third Grade
The Experience Corps program helps improve third grade reading proficiency by providing structured, one-on-one tutoring sessions with adult volunteers aged 50 and older. The primary goal is to boost academic achievement through consistent, individualized tutoring. In 2023-24, the program operated in 11 school districts and 14 elementary schools, with 81 volunteers tutoring 326 students, leading to an average literacy growth of 86 percent from the beginning to the end of the school year. Given the high demand for reading support in Phoenix elementary schools, the program will expand to 14 districts and 18 schools in 2024-25, requiring additional volunteers to tutor outside their neighborhoods.
Literacy Hubs were also established in the Murphy and Cartwright School Districts to combat learning loss and enhance summer/out-of-school learning. Programs like Experience Corps tutoring and Kindergarten Bootcamp were implemented at Peralta and Sullivan Elementary Schools, alongside programs from community partners such as Southwest Human Development and Stand for Children. In 2023-24, these hubs served 1,923 students and their families.
Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism by third grade can prevent students from reaching grade-level reading proficiency, a critical milestone that predicts future academic success. The Youth and Education Office partnered with the Governor’s Office, school districts, state agencies, community partners and education stakeholders to form the Arizona Chronic Absence Task Force. This task force developed the Arizona Chronic Absence Resource Guide, which outlines evidence-based strategies for preventing absenteeism and re-engaging students and families. In collaboration with Valley of the Sun United Way, the office also helped create online toolkits to connect families with resources and improve communication, ultimately increasing student attendance.
Upcoming Activities. In October 2024, business and community leaders will return to school for the annual Partner with a Principal program. Corporate executives and community leaders will work with public, charter, and private school principals to discuss forming lasting partnerships that improve education quality, workplace readiness, and leadership development. Sixty-five businesses have been paired with 65 Phoenix schools, and the program will conclude with a celebration luncheon on November 8, 2024, hosted by Grand Canyon University.
On October 24, 2024, all four FRCs will participate in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, the world’s largest shared reading event. This event promotes early literacy and supports children’s language and social-emotional development. Participating families will receive a copy of the book Piper Chen Sings to encourage further a love of reading and learning within the community.
On November 13, 2024, the 2nd Annual Meet the Mighty Machines event at the Burton Barr Family Resource Center will offer young children and their families an interactive educational experience. Children will engage in hands-on activities with various trucks and machinery and interact with law enforcement officers, helping them better understand their community and its roles. These early learning experiences are critical for building foundational skills, supporting school readiness, and fostering social-emotional growth.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Youth and Education Office.