With the Legislature recently completing its session, the need to improve education is on everybody's mind. That every Utah child have a chance for a truly quality education is critical for the economic, social and cultural well-being of all of us for generations to come. Even in a time of state surpluses, most agree that we can never meet all our education needs. Yet if we put aside political ideologies and personal gain and all pitch in, we can make a difference.
In that spirit, Utah's credit unions have taken a major step to "do something" about education. With a community commitment that goes well beyond what is expected from the private sector, they joined together to create a foundation to help meet the real needs of educators. "100 Percent for Kids" was formed in 2002 to provide financial assistance for individual teachers to bridge the gap between critical needs and public funding.
Currently, many teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets to purchase needed — but unfunded — classroom materials. Through 100 Percent for Kids, teachers can apply for grants to help them meet those basic classroom needs. In addition to the basics, teachers can apply for major project grants of $5,000 or more for larger projects that may involve an entire school. The grants are issued directly to educators rather than administrators. Every dollar contributed goes directly to the classroom. The League of Credit Unions absorbs all administrative costs.
The results have been staggering. Since 2002, the 100 Percent for Kids Foundation has donated $1.4 million, purchasing schoolbooks for students and school libraries. The total contribution for all grants funded has now surpassed $3.4 million.
Much of the effort has been focused on creating "leveled" libraries, which provide materials tailored specifically for each student's reading level. Research indicates that of all students who are reading-disabled in third grade, 74 percent remain disabled in the ninth grade. Early intervention is the only way to stop that slide into illiteracy.
With leveled library programs, students master reading at their own individual skill level, then progress to the next with each success. One parent in St. George said "We could see the change last year from the beginning of the school, as (our daughter) went from a hesitant reader to an accomplished reader by the end of the year. Now she is excited to read books!" In Washington County, six elementary schools now have leveled library programs because of $60,000 in grants from 100 Percent for Kids. One principal estimates that the donations will allow teachers to purchase 100 new books for each classroom.
The responses from teachers themselves have been tremendously encouraging. One educator wrote, "You have made it possible for one of our dreams to come true for our school. Because of your help, we now have multiple sets of books on guided reading levels A-Z. Our teachers are so grateful to have this resource to use with all of their students, but especially their struggling readers."
The generosity of credit union members has been a very real factor in improving education in the state of Utah. That's a goal all of us share.
One elementary school teacher summed it up perfectly when she wrote, "It is refreshing to know that there are people out there who 'put their money where their mouth is,' so to speak. As educators, we learn quickly about those who say they support education and those who actually do. Thank you for making this tremendous contribution to the education of young children."
That's why the 100 Percent for Kids Utah Credit Union Foundation will continue its efforts. The credit unions and their members should be commended for their generosity and commitment to Utah's public schools.
Paula F. Julander is the director of 100 Percent for Kids.