There is no doubt that COVID-19 has proved disruptive in every way for everyone and we are witnessing long-lasting effects when it comes to young children and their education. A CDC study observed 61 % of school-aged students experienced no learning gains while one-third of them suffered learning losses.
Ellyn Okrent, CEO of the Fuller Center, shed some light on the importance this center has for children struggling with learning during this challenging time.
“According to our onboarding assessment for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) students, more than half (56%) of preschool children were not prepared for kindergarten in August 2020. Yet by January, we saw an unmistakable improvement with a majority of students meeting and exceeding expectations in print knowledge, phonological awareness, oral language/vocabulary and mathematics. By May 2021, 91% of VPK students were meeting or exceeding expectations in print knowledge; 95% in phonological awareness; 95% in oral language/vocabulary and 100% in mathematics!”
The Fuller Center provides under-resourced children the same educational opportunities as their affluent peers, and is dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged children realize their full potential, both socially and academically. Established in 1971, it has grown from 22 children to more than 900 children a year.
Now the center is in need of volunteers to help continue their outstanding work.
“Our kids are starting this school year on an uphill climb. We are recruiting mentors and tutors ages 16 and up to help overcome these serious learning losses,” says Okrent. “I’ve been told on many occasions that the time spent here investing in our children, is more rewarding to the volunteer, mentor/tutor than the lifetime gift given to the children, empowering them to achieve lifelong success”.
For more information visit: The Fuller Center