Program Helps First-Graders Grow Academically

By Joanne Clodfelter Contributing Writer

DAYTON — A collaboration between Wright State University, Dayton Public Schools and the Corinthian Baptist Church is helping to foster a love of learning in at-risk first-graders.

Then-Wright State Provost David Hopkins (who is now university president) challenged faculty and students to make the community better and came up with the First Grade Academic Improvement Initiative. The challenge evolved into a vision for Paul Griffin, assistant to the provost for community outreach and director of African and African American Studies at WSU.

"If we don’t start with the first-graders, we’re missing something," Griffin said. "It’s hard to break a negative attitude toward education once it’s been set. The formative years are the most important. If we don’t get the children from the beginning, it’s too late."

The Rev. Perry Henderson of the Corinthian Baptist Church already had an after-school tutoring program, so when Griffin shared his vision the Initiative took root.

Now in its second school year, about 40 first-grade students from Wogamon and Valerie elementary schools and the Dayton Preparatory Academy for Boys attend the after-school program at Corinthian, directed by Alyce Earl-Jenkins, a retired Wright State professor. Wright State students majoring in a variety of academic fields tutor small groups of students, with support from Dayton teachers. The curriculum includes reading, spelling and math, meeting Ohio Department of Education standards for the first grade.

Funding and in-kind service for FGAII (2005-06) Wright State University: $39,498.92 Corinthian Baptist Church: $13,626 Dayton Public Schools: $5,685 Total Expenses: $58,809.92 ($1,812,50 per FGAII student)

Improvements based on an external evaluator (2005-06) Reading fluency: 76 percent of the students showed growth Sight words assessment: 74 percent of the students showed growth Spelling: 62 percent of the students showed growth Math-number sense: 17 percent of the students showed growth

– Statistics are for Lincoln and Hickorydale elementary schools, which were involved the first year.

The students recite this affirmation before class each day: Today will decide if I succeed or fail tomorrow. I am going to be very successful today in each and every way. I will do my best, I will pass life’s test. I will not fail, and I am somebody. I care! I dare! I share! — Mozelle Garcia

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