To spark joy and opportunity through the magic of a shared book.
Start Making a Reader Today® (SMART®) is a volunteer program widely implemented in Oregon for students in grades preK-3 who are at risk of reading failure. The program is designed to be a low-cost, easy-to-implement intervention. Volunteer readers go into schools where at least 40% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and read one-on-one with students twice a week for half an hour. Typically, one volunteer works with two children on four types of activities: reading to the child, reading with the child, re-reading with the child, and asking the child questions about what has been read. The program also gives each student two new books a month to encourage families to read together.
Reading engagement and motivation.
The program gives each student two new books a month to encourage families to read together. Information is periodically sent home with students (tips and released resources for reading with a child). Parents can also opt in to our email list to receive additional updates.