Students' reading proficiency has been declining nationwide, and the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the trend. Now, some schools in the North State are partnering with an outside organization to help boost literacy.
At Metteer Elementary School in Red Bluff, students are taking part in one-on-one tutoring sessions over Zoom as part of a pilot program by education nonprofit Ignite! Reading.
"They're all working at their own independent levels, where their needs are, one-on-one for 15 minutes, which is more than I can give them," said Jennie Bachmeyer, a teacher at Metteer with students in the program.
Ignite! Reading announced in April that it was expanding its programs in six states across the country, including three schools in Red Bluff and one in Oakland.
It hopes to fill the need for individualized learning created by the shortage of school staff across the state.
An Ignite! representative said schools in Red Bluff are paying for the program with federal funding intended to close learning gaps caused by the pandemic.