THE GORGE — It can be said that democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry and that an informed citizen is a reading citizen. If this is true, new national test results for 12th graders showing significant declines in students’ reading abilities since 2019, is cause for great concern.
Reading scores for this group were the lowest in three decades. College professors lament that students have lost stamina for reading and writing and these are students scoring at the higher end of test results. Reading scores for students from low income families and those learning English, who tend to score at the lower end of results, have fallen even more dramatically. At the 4th grade level, results show that 48% of Oregon students and 39% of Washington students have not yet developed even basic reading skills when a higher level of proficiency is necessary to go beyond basic understanding and make reasonable inferences about material being read.
Local non-profit, Books for Kids Columbia Gorge, is dedicated to “Promoting literacy development by providing new, high-quality books to kids in the Columbia Gorge who need them most.” Since research has consistently shown that having even a small library of books in the home can lead to increased school success and greater educational attainment and skills in adulthood the organization’s mission is to help at risk children and youth in Hood River, Wasco, Klickitat and Skamania counties become proficient readers by providing them with books to keep as their own. This work is done within the context of existing literacy programs in schools, preschools, and other organizations. Books for Kids Columbia Gorge annually awards book grants to local schools and programs that serve low-income households and promote family literacy.
Funds raised in 2024 allowed Books for Kids Columbia Gorge to award book grants totaling $23,480 to 19 literacy programs across the Gorge, increasing access to new high-quality, age-appropriate books for more than 1,800 children. Book grants are awarded as gift certificates to the national First Book Marketplace where teachers can then purchase books on topics that will interest students and will be at appropriate reading levels to support their growth and development as readers. Inspiring the joy of reading in children, deepens their motivation to read and sets them on the path to becoming proficient readers.
A teacher from Whitson Elementary in White Salmon wrote the following about the impact of book awards their after school program has received. “Many of the students we serve are lacking a great deal of resources, and this includes educational resources at home, like books to read. Through this book grant we were not only able to help students and families improve this situation, but we were also able to fold book giving activities into our after school time to really get them excited about the books and about reading at home. The idea of having a part in choosing books and then actually owning those books was beyond delightful for the students.”
Although the focus is on reading promotion for younger children, Books for Kids Columbia Gorge also makes book awards to programs serving older students. One example of a program in need of support is the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program at Wy’east Middle School. Hard-working, capable, future first generation college students are chosen to participate in an elective class that pushes them to engage in extra lessons that will support their academic skills. The program is designed to narrow the opportunity gap for this population. The skills most necessary to accomplish this goal are literacy skills. However, many of the students do not have access to high interest books at home. In addition, getting to the library can be problematic for those who live in rural areas. Book award grants from Books for Kids Columbia Gorge can fill some of this need for low income learners.
Focused fundraising occurs September through December of each year with application submission and award decisions completed each January. In addition to donations from individuals, this mission is supported by grants from United way of the Columbia Gorge, the Gorge Community Foundation, Hood River Lions, NW Natural Gas, Sightline Applications, Greenfish Foundations, Wasco Masons and Soroptimist International of Mt. Adams. The partnering support of Four Rivers Family Early Learning and Parenting Hub has also been vital to the organization’s success.
Please consider supporting this important effort. The typical cost of a high-quality book purchased through the First Book Marketplace is only $4 so $20 can purchase a 5 book library for a child. Donations can be made online through links at www.booksforkidscg.org or by sending a check to your choice of the following addresses:
PO Box 221, Hood River 97031
PO Box 82, The Dalles 97058
PO Box 34, White Salmon 98672
Donations are used to grant book awards to programs in the state and counties where they are received.
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