Literacy Changes Lives!

The Ozarks Literacy Council (OLC) promotes literacy by strategically placing books in the hands of learners who need them most and by engaging the community at local events. Making the OLC’s presence known throughout the Ozarks emphasizes the importance of literacy not just for children but for everyone. Whether it’s simply reading books to children at a community event or being an active participant in the United Way’s Day of Caring, OLC strives to make every person a reader.

ONE-TO-ONE TUTORING

The Ozarks Literacy Council (OLC) offers free One-to-One, curriculum-based reading tutoring for adults and school-age children.

Our One-to-One tutoring program utilizes individual tutoring. It’s just you, the tutor, and your goals. Tutoring sessions focus on the unique needs of each learner. Whether the goal is to be able to read a book to your children, get to grade level in reading or improve your reading skills to enter a HISET program, OLC will help you achieve your objectives. Tutoring can be face to face or online. Complete Learner Sign Up form under the programs tab above.

WORKING WITH A TUTOR CAN HELP YOU . . .

Increase Skills in Reading, Comprehension, and writing.

Gain Confidence in your reading abilities and yourself.
Practice Reading – Prescriptions, Signs, Menus, Applications or other materials you want help reading.
Enter Higher ED – Get prepared to enter High School Equivalency Classes (Formerly GED), College and beyond.

PRESCHOOL READINGS

Develop a love for reading early

Early literacy programs are important in growing readers and helping children be ready for kindergarten. The Ozarks Literacy Council (OLC) strives to make kids’ enthusiasm for reading expand beyond the classroom and into the child’s home. OLC volunteers visits Wonder Years Preschool classrooms in Springfield each quarter. Activities for each visit are written to meet the developmental needs of the class and practice kindergarten readiness skills.

In OLC’s 2022-23 survey, 100% of parents reporting re-reading the books to their children and stated their child’s interest in reading had increased.

Reading Resource Program, #bookit

Reading Resource Program provides a volunteer reader (you) to read to the same classroom once a month for at least 1/2 hour for the entire school year. The teacher can select the book, and we provide one for every student, teacher, and volunteer.

Reading days at McGregor and York are to be determined.

Williams #bookit day will be on the third Wednesday of every month, beginning on September 20.

Williams, McGregor and York were chosen because they have some of Springfield’s most at-risk student populations. Williams has 87.%, York 91% and McGregor 87.% of the students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Siting the 2021 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test, 92.1% of third-graders at Williams read at basic or below basic levels, 84.9% at McGregor and 64% at York.

Third grade is a benchmark because children that are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade are FOUR times more likely to drop out of school and have a higher instance of disciplinary incidents.

EVERY volunteer reader must follow the background check specifics mandated by Springfield Public Schools. https://www.sps.org/Page/5147

Reading times will be determined by the volunteer and the teacher. Usually, they provide two-time slots during their #bookit day for the volunteer to choose a time. I will have these times in August after the first faculty meeting.

Classroom readers model fluency, encourage imagination, and introduce students to different genres and authors. We are looking forward to 2023-24 at McGregor, Williams and York Elementary schools, #bookittigers, #bookitmustangs, and #bookiteagles.

Community Wide Special Events

OLC participates in many events to increase literacy skills and promote reading advocacy. Through community outreach and support from The United Way, the OLC can put books in empty hands. OLC regularly participates in: The United Way’s Day of Caring, Community Wide Play Day, Seuss Science day Juneteenth and more.