VALPARAISO, Indiana (July 23, 2008) - The number of Hoosier children who have received homework assistance, tutoring and career exploration through Mitch's Kids, Governor Mitch Daniels' statewide initiative in Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Indiana, is nearing 10,000, and their reading and math skills are improving.
Many of the participants, who are 5 to 14 years old, have improved their reading and math fluency scores by at least two grade levels, according to pre- and post-testing by the Indiana Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. Of the 9,610 children who have enrolled in Mitch's Kids since it started in January 2006 and who participated in the reading and math homework sessions, the average increase in reading scores was 47 percent and the average increase in math scores was 48 percent.
"I couldn't be more proud of what these kids are accomplishing and how the Boys & Girls Clubs are making a difference in their lives. This is the most effective effort anywhere to address the achievement gap and give low-income kids a chance to realize their potential," said Daniels, who visited the Boys & Girls Club of Valparaiso today.
The Valparaiso Club had some of the highest average increases in reading and math scores in 2007-08. Children in the club improved reading scores by 102 percent and their math scores by 103 percent. Other Porter County Clubs, including Northview, South Haven and Portage Forrest Dusty Rhode, also are among those showing great improvement in both areas.
The governor has committed $1 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds each year since the start of the program. Mitch's Kids works in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Club after-school POWER Hour program at 65 clubs throughout the state. Participants receive homework and tutoring sessions for a specified number of weeks and are tested to determine reading and math progress. In addition, nearly 4,000 of the total enrolled children have also participated in career exploration activities.
The governor established Mitch's Kids to help close the achievement gap. Ninety-five percent of participants receive free or reduced price lunch. The Family and Social Services Administration works with Boys & Girls Clubs to identify and enroll children from low-income households.
Overall goals are to increase the quality and quantity of homework completed and improve student behavior and attitudes about school and learning. The program's goal for reading and math tests is to increase scores by at least 10 percent for first and second graders and by at least 15 percent for third through eighth graders.
The results of pre-testing showed that 64 percent were below grade level in reading and 64 percent were below grade level in math. After program participation and post-testing, administered for 3,182 of the participants, 63 percent were above grade level in reading fluency, and 62 percent above grade level in math.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America POWER Hour program focuses on improving reading and math fluencies by enabling members to complete their homework, receive individualized tutoring, and prepare for class with staff and volunteer encouragement and assistance. The activities conducted in the program are based on Indiana's state academic standards.
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