March 25, 2009

Cool After School Students Focus on Math, Reading
Kids 4 Christ After-School Program Assists Struggling Students;
LaFayette Area Elementary Students Show Improvements in Math, Reading

Reading and math are the basic foundation all learning is built on. Students who fail to master those subjects in elementary school have trouble learning other topics, such as science or social studies, and are more likely to drop out of school than their peers.

To combat the local dropout rate and national trends illiteracy in reading and math, Kids 4 Christ has focused its daily after-school program on improving math and reading scores. During the 08-09 school year, 14 LaFayette area elementary school students participating in K4C's Cool After School have spent several hours per day reviewing and relearning the basics of math and reading.

Cool After School students were tested in August and again in February, with results of the two tests compared. The combined hard work of students and volunteers has produced results, with mid-year test results showing real grade-level progress in math and language-arts. The comparison shows marked improvements in numbers, fractions, phonics, and comprehension, and an increase of one whole grade level for word recognition.

The testing also shows each student's individual areas of improvement and weakness. That data has allowed Cool After School to produce assignments targeted to each child. The targeted work, done at K4C alongside each child's school homework, strengthens the students' specific areas of weakness.

For the remainder of the school year, Cool After School will focus on improving student scores in phonemics, the application of phonics to reading and spelling by breaking words down into syllables. Improved scores in phonemics will also help the kids with word recognition, reading comprehension, and math assignments that require reading word problems. A third round of testing conducted in May will show the effectiveness of Cool After School's focus on phonemics.

Cool After School is provided free for 1st-5th graders attending North LaFayette and Gilbert Elementary schools. Students are accepted for the program from a pool of applications based on need and teacher recommendations. In order to provide Cool After School, Kids 4 Christ depends on cooperation from local schools and parents. K4C also depends on community financial support to provide Cool After School free of charge for participating students.

Kids 4 Christ is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving children in the LaFayette area. K4C offers weekly Bible classes, a daily after-school academic program, and mentoring activities to help children develop skill sets required to become responsible adults and contributors to their community. For more about K4C or its after-school program call (706) 639 3234 or see the organization Web site at www.k4c.info.

Kids 4 Christ publishes two newsletters, one for K4C students and a mailing for volunteers and supporters. K4C also sends out e-mail updates and weekly prayer request Knee-Mail.

CAS students with a paper chain representing the 368 books they've read this year. Left to right, starting in front: Chris Burse, Zach Jonjock, Desmond Pryor, Sierra Mahon, Kenya Jordan, Eric Martinez, Josh Burse, Elizabeth Mahon, Kadarrin Ramsey, Ann Henderson, Elisic Clements, Ethan Haney, Jessica Smith, Sierra Jonjock

A Cool After School student working on a math assignment

2nd-grader Kenya Jordan completing an art project at Cool After School

4th-grader Elizabeth Mahon doing her school homework at Cool After School

PO Box 1124, LaFayette GA. 30728 • (706) 639 3234 • info@k4c.info