Title
AARP Foundation Program Agreement for Experience Corps Phoenix Tutoring (Ordinance S-48885)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a program partnership agreement with the AARP Foundation for the Experience Corps Phoenix Tutoring Program and to approve the inclusion of the AARP Foundation as additional insured on the City's self-insurance plan pursuant to Phoenix City Code section 42-20.
Report
Summary
During the pandemic, the percentage of Phoenix students passing the third grade reading assessment declined to 25 percent - the lowest score in seven years. Approximately 13,000 Phoenix third graders are not reading at grade level. The pandemic has led to a “COVID-19 slide” learning loss, further widening the gap between student achievement and grade level standards in literacy and math, particularly in low-income communities.
To address this gap, the city implements AARP Experience Corps, a nationally recognized volunteer tutoring program, that engages older adults to provide one-on-one tutoring interventions in Phoenix schools to improve K-3 student literacy. The program is an approved evidence-based intervention that improves student achievement under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The program targets Title 1 Phoenix schools with high percentages of students who are not reading at grade level.
The program is part of Read On Phoenix, an initiative to get local students reading at grade level by 3rd grade. In 2020, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) recognized the City as a “Bright Spot Community” for mitigating learning loss by closing the digital gap; building educator capacity through professional development in literacy; and expanding evidence-based literacy strategies to meet community needs during the pandemic. The City was also recognized in 2016 and 2017 as a “Pacesetter” community for ensuring academic success through literacy enrichment programs.
Contract Term
The approved program agreement term is July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024, with no options to extend.
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact to the city.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Youth and Education Office.