Youth and Education Office outlines literacy goals and tutoring outcomes

Tim Valencia, Youth and Education Director, presented the office’s priorities and recent outcomes, centering the presentation on early literacy and third‑grade reading proficiency.

Valencia said only 30% of Phoenix third graders read at grade level compared with 39% statewide (Arizona Academic Standards assessment), and that about 13,000 Phoenix students in K–8 are not reading at grade level. "Our goal is to increase third grade reading proficiency by 25% by 2030," Valencia said, describing ReadOnPhoenix as a community impact model targeting highest‑need neighborhoods.

Key programs highlighted include the Experience Corps tutoring program (81 volunteers trained, 326 students served across 11 school districts with average fall‑to‑year‑end growth of 86%), literacy hubs that served over 2,000 students and families last school year, and Families First Resource Centers (funded by First Things First) that served roughly 3,000 unduplicated families and provided 3,000+ referrals to rental assistance and other services.

Valencia asked council members to amplify programs, noted an upcoming community meeting on Oct. 31 and invited council offices to share district success stories. Council members asked about demographic tracking and program hours; Valencia said the office surveys parents for income and demographic data, offers year‑round FRC operations with some evening and monthly Saturday hours, and relies on volunteer capacity to scale tutoring.