Los Angeles County Probation Department

Operation Read

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

61% of youth that participated in 40 hours of tutoring improved their reading assessment by a minimum of two grade levels. Another 30% of the youth improved one grade level.
(3/1/06 - 2/28/07)

OPERATION READ PROGRAM

Operation READ is a tutoring program for youth at the halls, camps, and, in partnership with community based organizations, throughout the County of Los Angeles at schools, housing authorities and parks. The program goals are to build the youth’s literacy skills to include reading, comprehension, writing, and spelling. Academic mentors work with the youth one-to-one and in small groups, three to five hours per week to provide a variety of instructional approaches individualized to the learner. Tutors strive to engage the youth and make learning fun.

The program emphasizes learning through phonics, reading aloud and silently, interactive reading games, and writing activities. The ability to read and to comprehend what one reads is fundamental to the youth’s abilities to make informed choices and gain academic and career success.

Youth qualify for the free tutoring resources that are:

Two or more grade levels behind in reading
Receiving direct services through the Probation Department
Part of the “Outreach” to children with family members (living in the home) that are receiving Probation services
Foster youth
Identified by the school or DPO as “At-risk”
Referred by the Delinquency Court, DPO, school, or Holder of Education Rights

Youth are encouraged to obtain a library card and utilize the resources available in their community at the public library. This will support their educational and literacy efforts. It will also connect youth with on-line Live Homework Help through the County of Los Angeles Public Library system at http://www.colapublib.org/children/tutor/

HISTORY

In 1999, Supervisor Don Knabe spearheaded a task force to address the severe literacy needs of youth in the delinquency and foster care systems. It was comprised of county agencies, including the Probation Department, Children and Family Services, Superior Court, and County Public Library, Los Angeles County Office of Education, and eleven community partners.

BELIEF STATEMENT

The ability to read is fundamental to academic and career success. Having the ability to read opens the door to opportunities and making informed choices.

The ability to read can be learned. Each of us has the capacity to learn. Many can benefit from tutoring to improve reading, comprehension, writing and spelling skills.

For further information, please call Gail McFarlane-Sosa at 562-940-3547. To volunteer, please call 562-940-3773.