Third Grade Reading Challenge VISTA Leader

The Third Grade Reading Challenge Project establishes volunteer programs in elementary schools to ensure that students are reading at proficiency levels by 3rd grade in order to success through graduation. Research shows that proficiency in reading by the end of third grade enables students to shift from learning to read to reading to learn, and to master the more complex subject matter they encounter in the fourth grade curriculum. Most students, who fail to reach this critical milestone falter in the later grades and often drop out before earning a high school diploma. The VISTAs will be housed at elementary school sites and recruit volunteers for preschool, classrooms, after school and/or summer programs. The VISTA Leader must have completed 1 year of VISTA service prior to applying for Operation Graduation.