Every child is born with a severe mental defect. This defect can be completely cured, yet it remains prolific in our society. As a mental disease, it is controlled in stages. The only cure for this disease, illiteracy, is education.
Approximately 32 million adults in America are considered to be illiterate; about 14% of the entire adult population cannot read. Among developed nations, the U.S. ranks 16th for adult reading skills. Between 40 and 44 million adults, or roughly 20 to 23% of adults in the U.S., are limited to reading at the basic or below basic proficiency levels. 20% of high school grads haven't developed basic reading proficiency by the time they don their cap and gown. Kids who aren't successfully reading at grade level by the third grade are four times less likely to finish high school. Approximately 85% of youth who come into contact with the juvenile court are considered to be functionally illiterate. About 70% of male and female inmates score at the lowest proficiency level for reading. As many as 75% of welfare recipients struggle to read even the simplest texts. In terms of lost productivity, it's estimated that the portion of the population that can't read costs the nation a staggering $225 billion each year.
The literacy state is not any better for young children. Two-thirds of America’s children living in poverty have no books at home, and the number of families living in poverty continues to rise. It is not difficult to imagine that children who do not have access to books or read regularly are vulnerable to falling behind in school, which often leads to juvenile criminality. Childhood illiteracy poses a real threat to the economic growth and development of our society. It is widely known that literacy — the ability to read and write — is tied to everything we do and our interactions in social situations. Literacy is the foundation to build essential skills to perform better in school and develop an interest in becoming a lifelong learner. It has a direct impact on one’s personal growth, economic welfare, and long-term well-being. Written by Rui Diemart.
Illiteracy often takes a backseat to more pressing issues but based on the statistics we've uncovered, it's clear that it's no less important. Closing the education gap is easier said than done but if reading rates could be improved, the research suggests that the end result would be a win-win for the country as a whole.
The Perfect 10 Charity in partnership with Toys for Tots and Make a Difference, have started the Read for a Ride Book Club. This Book Club is a tool to help teachers create an interest in reading for our 3rd - 5th and 6th - 12th, graders.
Any student that is behind in reading skills
can be a member of this book club.
Read a book for that grade level.
Do a written report for each book.
We have started this program in Pasco County Schools.
For every book report turned in, each student will receive a small award (Ex. free burger, ice cream,etc.) and a raffle ticket. Complete two reports, get two more raffle tickets, three reports, get three more raffle tickets, etc. Every month we will have a drawing at the school assembly for a chance to win one of ten $20.00 gift certificates to a local merchant *(restrictions apply). The donor merchant will be invited to award the certificates at the event. The winning tickets will not be returned to the drawing box. If one name is drawn twice, return it to the box and draw another. At the end of the school year, we will have a final drawing for one of ten new bikes with helmets for grades 3 thru 5 or one of ten new laptops for grades 6 thru 12 *(restrictions apply). We will ask all of our sponsors to attend this presentation, a major event for the reading program.
Contact Bill Schroder at 352-636-0550 for more information.
*We do not want this reading program to be a giveaway project. So moving forward, we will have a minimum requirement for the prizes. Every student that completes a book report will receive a gift coupon for a small item. For every 10 students that complete a book report, we will provide one $20.00 gift certificate to a local business per month and one bike or computer per year. The maximum total donations will remain the same, ten certificates per month and ten bikes or computers per school year. If you had 20 students complete a report this month, we will provide two certificates for that month and two computers for that year. If you have 10 more different students complete a report the next month, we will provide three certificates for that month’s drawing and three computers for the end of the school year event. You will need 100 students completing a book report to receive the maximum awards, 10 gift certificates per month and 10 bikes or computers per year. The monthly certificates will be awarded for 7 months, October thru April and the bikes or computers in May. This will also allow us to use this program in smaller schools.
We are reaching out to our local community for support
of this vital program. There are many ways to help:
1. Make a donation to: The Perfect 10 Charity
PO Box # 10
San Antonio Fl. 33576
(A $50.00 donation will purchase a new bike and helmet.)
2. Ask your church, business or club to be a gold sponsor.
(You will make sure the prizes are available.)
It will cost the gold sponsors between one and two thousand dollars, per school, each year depending on the donations raised and the number of student involved. With the Principal’s approval, The Perfect 10 Charity will match the school with the sponsors and donors. The gold sponsors that adopt a school will be invited to all the award presentations.
3. As a business or donor, support your local school and
help provide some of the gift certificates that are used as
rewards for each completed book report. Also help collect
the $20.00 gift cards awarded in the monthly drawing.
There are 7 monthly drawings for the gift cards, October
thru April and 1 drawing for the grand prizes in May.
If you have an interest in supporting this project contact:
Bill Schroder at 352-636-0550 for more information
or email at: schroder_b@yahoo.com
If you cannot read, no one can help you.
If you can read no one can stop you!
Approximately 32 million adults in America are considered to be illiterate; about 14% of the entire adult population cannot read. Among developed nations, the U.S. ranks 16th for adult reading skills. Between 40 and 44 million adults, or roughly 20 to 23% of adults in the U.S., are limited to reading at the basic or below basic proficiency levels. 20% of high school grads haven't developed basic reading proficiency by the time they don their cap and gown. Kids who aren't successfully reading at grade level by the third grade are four times less likely to finish high school. Approximately 85% of youth who come into contact with the juvenile court are considered to be functionally illiterate. About 70% of male and female inmates score at the lowest proficiency level for reading. As many as 75% of welfare recipients struggle to read even the simplest texts. In terms of lost productivity, it's estimated that the portion of the population that can't read costs the nation a staggering $225 billion each year.
The literacy state is not any better for young children. Two-thirds of America’s children living in poverty have no books at home, and the number of families living in poverty continues to rise. It is not difficult to imagine that children who do not have access to books or read regularly are vulnerable to falling behind in school, which often leads to juvenile criminality. Childhood illiteracy poses a real threat to the economic growth and development of our society. It is widely known that literacy — the ability to read and write — is tied to everything we do and our interactions in social situations. Literacy is the foundation to build essential skills to perform better in school and develop an interest in becoming a lifelong learner. It has a direct impact on one’s personal growth, economic welfare, and long-term well-being. Written by Rui Diemart.
Illiteracy often takes a backseat to more pressing issues but based on the statistics we've uncovered, it's clear that it's no less important. Closing the education gap is easier said than done but if reading rates could be improved, the research suggests that the end result would be a win-win for the country as a whole.
The Perfect 10 Charity in partnership with Toys for Tots and Make a Difference, have started the Read for a Ride Book Club. This Book Club is a tool to help teachers create an interest in reading for our 3rd - 5th and 6th - 12th, graders.
Any student that is behind in reading skills
can be a member of this book club.
Read a book for that grade level.
Do a written report for each book.
We have started this program in Pasco County Schools.
For every book report turned in, each student will receive a small award (Ex. free burger, ice cream,etc.) and a raffle ticket. Complete two reports, get two more raffle tickets, three reports, get three more raffle tickets, etc. Every month we will have a drawing at the school assembly for a chance to win one of ten $20.00 gift certificates to a local merchant *(restrictions apply). The donor merchant will be invited to award the certificates at the event. The winning tickets will not be returned to the drawing box. If one name is drawn twice, return it to the box and draw another. At the end of the school year, we will have a final drawing for one of ten new bikes with helmets for grades 3 thru 5 or one of ten new laptops for grades 6 thru 12 *(restrictions apply). We will ask all of our sponsors to attend this presentation, a major event for the reading program.
Contact Bill Schroder at 352-636-0550 for more information.
*We do not want this reading program to be a giveaway project. So moving forward, we will have a minimum requirement for the prizes. Every student that completes a book report will receive a gift coupon for a small item. For every 10 students that complete a book report, we will provide one $20.00 gift certificate to a local business per month and one bike or computer per year. The maximum total donations will remain the same, ten certificates per month and ten bikes or computers per school year. If you had 20 students complete a report this month, we will provide two certificates for that month and two computers for that year. If you have 10 more different students complete a report the next month, we will provide three certificates for that month’s drawing and three computers for the end of the school year event. You will need 100 students completing a book report to receive the maximum awards, 10 gift certificates per month and 10 bikes or computers per year. The monthly certificates will be awarded for 7 months, October thru April and the bikes or computers in May. This will also allow us to use this program in smaller schools.
We are reaching out to our local community for support
of this vital program. There are many ways to help:
1. Make a donation to: The Perfect 10 Charity
PO Box # 10
San Antonio Fl. 33576
(A $50.00 donation will purchase a new bike and helmet.)
2. Ask your church, business or club to be a gold sponsor.
(You will make sure the prizes are available.)
It will cost the gold sponsors between one and two thousand dollars, per school, each year depending on the donations raised and the number of student involved. With the Principal’s approval, The Perfect 10 Charity will match the school with the sponsors and donors. The gold sponsors that adopt a school will be invited to all the award presentations.
3. As a business or donor, support your local school and
help provide some of the gift certificates that are used as
rewards for each completed book report. Also help collect
the $20.00 gift cards awarded in the monthly drawing.
There are 7 monthly drawings for the gift cards, October
thru April and 1 drawing for the grand prizes in May.
If you have an interest in supporting this project contact:
Bill Schroder at 352-636-0550 for more information
or email at: schroder_b@yahoo.com
If you cannot read, no one can help you.
If you can read no one can stop you!