This project will advance literacy learning through dance for underserved children across the USA by providing diverse books, dancewear, and mentorship for all children in our programming.

Challenge

The poverty/achievement gap is widening at an alarming rate: nearly 75% of fourth graders who tested below the 25th percentile of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) were from low-income families. This gap only widened with the "COVID learning curve." Students across the nation are at risk of being left behind, and we refuse to sit by and let this happen. Our students' cannot afford "learning pods" or private schools. Instead, they rely on what is offered in the community.

Long-Term Impact

We want every child to have access to dance and literacy. We hope to have a chapter in each major US university as we refine our curriculum through the guidance of pediatricians and child literacy/dance experts. We not only want to close the literacy gap, but create a community that instills confidence and informed leadership in all of our mentees, mentors, and student leaders. Dance can always serve as a pathway to achieving these qualities.

References

1. http://www.balletandbooks.org
2. http://www.balletandbooks.org

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