Congresswoman Lee Visits Oakland School to Recognize National Literacy Week
Oakland, CA – Today, Congresswoman Lee visited the Think College Now School in Oakland’s Fruitvale District as a part of her commitment to education and literacy. The program is based in an Oakland Unified School District elementary school.
The Congresswoman worked with students and their community volunteer tutors on their assignments and read aloud with the group.
AmeriCorps and Reading Partners, a national education non-profit organization, have successfully provided volunteer-led literacy tutoring to students at low-income elementary schools in San Francisco and the East Bay since 1999, operating 26 programs at various school sites.
“I applaud the work Reading Partners is doing in the 13th Congressional District. Their programs provide literacy opportunities to help ensure all children have the reading skills that are vital to achieving their highest potential,” said Congresswoman Lee. “As a member of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees education spending, I will continue to fight in Washington for resources to help this program and other programs that empower students to succeed.”
Four out of five of fourth graders from low income families are unable to read at grade level. The federal government provided $185 million for reading literacy in FY15.
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.