M.A.R.C.
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Yours truly introduced Dan Glassier, a volunteer with the Midland Area Reading Council. Dan was born and raised in Midland and has returned here after a career in education in Toronto. Dan has taught regular and special education in elementary schools, has been a vice principal in 5 different schools, was the Co-ordinator of the Toronto 'First Duty' Early Childhood Project and, since retiring to Midland has been volunteering with MARC and as Vice Chair of the Simcoe North Ontario Early Years Centre.
Dan reported that the Council has been helping people since 1982 and is partially funded by the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities but that it still relies heavily on fundraising. Service is free and confidential and is offered in a variety of formats - one on one, small group, and via computer learning. Programs are offered in every community in North Simcoe.
Demand is rising and our formal learning systems are not keeping up. Literacy is taking an ever bigger social and economic toll. A 1% increase in national literacy has been shown to increase GDP by 1.5%.
Currently, in Ontario, the most at risk group is those who are trying to move into high school. Cuts, in the late 1990's, to the numbers of guidance counselors, consultants and special ed. teachers in the elementary schools has led directly to students (about 20%), who have been 'socially promoted', entering High School with gr. 2 and 3 level reading skills. Last year 37% of students did not meet the Provincial standard for reading and 41% failed the standard for writing.
Now the gov't is proposing to keep kids in school till 18, but by then they are so frustrated and angry that it's too late. Will they just be warehoused until their birthdays?
And, they have no place to go for help. The new money promised from the current gov't is directed to HS students. The way the current programs work, the kids have to drop out of school to be eligible for help!
MARC is proposing a structured school literacy/homework assistance program 3 or 4 days a week for the whole school year. Tutors will be drawn from gr. 11 & 12 students (the hours will count for their 40 hours of community service) and will be supervised by a retired teacher. Support will be provided for parents as well.
Demand is rising and our formal learning systems are not keeping up. Literacy is taking an ever bigger social and economic toll. A 1% increase in national literacy has been shown to increase GDP by 1.5%.
Currently, in Ontario, the most at risk group is those who are trying to move into high school. Cuts, in the late 1990's, to the numbers of guidance counselors, consultants and special ed. teachers in the elementary schools has led directly to students (about 20%), who have been 'socially promoted', entering High School with gr. 2 and 3 level reading skills. Last year 37% of students did not meet the Provincial standard for reading and 41% failed the standard for writing.
Now the gov't is proposing to keep kids in school till 18, but by then they are so frustrated and angry that it's too late. Will they just be warehoused until their birthdays?
And, they have no place to go for help. The new money promised from the current gov't is directed to HS students. The way the current programs work, the kids have to drop out of school to be eligible for help!
MARC is proposing a structured school literacy/homework assistance program 3 or 4 days a week for the whole school year. Tutors will be drawn from gr. 11 & 12 students (the hours will count for their 40 hours of community service) and will be supervised by a retired teacher. Support will be provided for parents as well.