In an effort to improve reading scores in the Taylor School District, Beyond Basics, a Southfield-based literacy nonprofit, is partnering with Taylor Reading Corps, a Taylor-based organization that recruits and trains a network of volunteers to enhance learning opportunities in the school district.
Through the partnership, Beyond Basics is providing literacy tutoring and programs at Myers Elementary, located at 16201 Lauren St. in Taylor, where school officials say students have struggled with reading proficiency.
“Enhancing education through reading and writing is key to the success of the students in the Taylor School District,” says Hon. Geno Salomone of the 23rd District Court and president of Taylor Reading Corps. “There is a direct correlation between a person’s lack of education and the increased probability of becoming a defendant in court.”
Ann Arbor-based McKinley Properties, the PNC Foundation, The Taylor Community Development Corp., and the Taylor School District are funding the partnership.
Prior to starting its tutoring initiative in September, Beyond Basics, which has been working with students in metro Detroit public schools since 2002, also collaborated with Tamara Jones-Jackson, principal of Myers Elementary School, in May and ran a publishing center at the school for fourth and fifth grade students.
With a mission to enhance the learning opportunities for Taylor School District students, Taylor Reading Corps aims to have all students attending Taylor Public Schools reading at or above grade level by the end of the third grade.
