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Forward Scholars
(A Common Ground initiative)
https://www.commongroundwi.org/forward-scholars
Forward Scholars is a one-on-one tutoring program which is designed to make a measurable increase in reading skills and help close the educational opportunity gap. This during-the-school-day program, which started in five Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) in September 2022 targets kindergarten - 3rd grade students who are not yet meeting grade-level expectations in reading. The program was so successful in its first year that it expanded to 7 schools in MPS for the 2023-2024 school year. The program has brought over 200 adult volunteers, including many retired educators, into the schools at a time when schools are struggling to find enough staff.
Pre-pandemic only about 16% of MPS third graders were reading at or above grade-level. Additionally, Wisconsin has the largest black-white achievement gap in the nation. Pre-COVID19 scores for third graders in MPS show that 37-40% of white students were proficient or advanced in reading compared to 9-10% of black students. The ability to read by the end of third grade is critical to a child’s success in school and life-long earning potential. A study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation showed that students who were not proficient in reading by the end of third grade were four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers.
The tutoring program is already making a difference. In addition to learning to read, these young learners are developing self-confidence, excitement for reading, and a trusting, supportive relationship with a caring adult. Every child has the human right to be literate; we can do this together as a community!
What your gift may provide:
$25—3 leveled books for a student
$75—one hour of individualized reading tutoring for one student
$100—one hour of tutoring and 3 leveled books for a student
$150—home library books, certificates, incentive charts and stickers to celebrate student success
$250—one set of decodable books
Forward Scholars Staff
Dr. Carrie Streiff-Stuessy, Executive Director
MacKenzie Menefee, Site Coordinator
Lynnae Ortiz, Site Coordinator
Melody Ratney, Site Coordinator
Katie Kison, Site Coordinator
Megan Miner, Site Coordinator
Melissa Rios, Family & Community Relations Coordinator
Lyndsey Randall, part-time Administrative Assistant
Forward Scholars Board Members
President, Jennifer O’Hear, Common Ground
Vice-President, Helen Harris, St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church
Treasurer, Sharon Spencer, Lamb of God Missionary Baptist Church
Secretary, Kristi Davis Gutierrez, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
Molly Shiffler, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee and Cardinal Stritch University
Willie Jude, Community Baptist Church of Milwaukee