Energizing Education is a collective approach to promoting literacy. It was created to ensure that all students in Jackson County, Michigan, read at or above grade level by the end of 3rd grade. EE uses a two-pronged approach to helping kids reach grade-level milestones:
Energizing Education was formed in 2012 with the support of Consumers Energy, United Way of Jackson County, and the countywide Cradle2Career education network.
In one word: YOU! The key to our success is volunteer support. Adult mentors come from area businesses, nonprofits and the community at large, all willing to give a little of their time each week to read to a child. Energizing Education provides a Literacy Specialist to train, support and guide mentors.
Also critical to EE’s success is financial support, which helps cover the costs of books, training materials, special events and specialized staff. Your gifts allow us to expand our efforts and positively impact more children in Jackson County.
How successful has Energizing Education been? Our pilot program at Frost Elementary improved reading proficiency dramatically as measured by the Fountas & Pinell Text Level Gradient and the Northwest Association Evaluation Assessment. Now we’re expanding to schools across Jackson County.
Want to be involved? Click here or send us an email.
We are continually recruiting mentors within our business community, as well as retirees and college students. We recruit, screen and supervise these mentors, with a JCISD Literacy Specialist providing them with targeted literacy training and supports.