Faculty and alumni from the College of Education have partnered with FAMU and the Children’s Defense Fund to sponsor the North Florida Freedom Schools. Research shows that when K-8 students from low-income households leave school for the summer, they are at-risk of a reading gap. With many single and working parents, low-income students can have fewer opportunities to exercise their reading “muscles”, and when they arrive back to campus in the fall, teachers report many are behind reading level.

To intervene in Leon and Gadsden counties, the North Florida Freedom Schools will operate three schools this summer. One hundred eighty children from low-income households will receive six weeks of reading fun and education, as well as healthy meals to nurture both mind and body, all at no cost to them. The majority of children (78%), who participated in the two North Florida Freedom Schools’ original Gadsden and Leon County sites in 2016, maintained or gained in reading level, and on average made more gain in reading level than would be expected over 6 weeks. Children’s beliefs that they can act in prosocial ways also increased, which is aligned with Freedom Schools’ community building and social action focus. Instead of letting these students slip backward, Freedom Schools actually provide an opportunity for low-income students to excel and make a difference in our communities.

To join FSU, FAMU, and the Children’s Defense Fund in support of this project, please consider a donation of $285 today to sponsor one child through the program. Gifts of all sizes are needed and appreciated. Thank you for your consideration.