United Way Helps Delaware Students Turn the Page

Only 26% of Delaware’s fourth graders read at or above grade level, well below the national average. For students from lower-income families, summer can mean even greater setbacks, with months of lost reading skills. By fifth grade, some are already two to three years behind. United Way of Delaware is changing that.  
 
Through Get Delaware Reading: Summer, nearly 1,900 students across 52 camp sites received high-quality reading support in 2024. In partnership with 19 community organizations, United Way turned summer into a season of opportunity. “Delaware is ranked 45th in the nation for reading,” said Ebony Brown, who leads the effort. “With our partners, we’re reaching students where they are and making real progress.” The program brings targeted literacy tutoring into existing summer camps. Students use BookNook, a digital platform that adapts to each child’s reading level. Guided by trained high school interns, students meet three times a week for short, focused sessions.   

Delaware is ranked 45th in the nation for reading. With our partners, we’re reaching students where they are and making real progress.”

The results speak for themselves. 85% of students met at least one reading benchmark and nearly 30% advanced a full reading level. But the impact goes beyond test scores. Students are gaining confidence, discovering joy in reading, and seeing themselves as learners.  The high school interns benefit too. They’re paid for their work, receive hands-on experience, and grow leadership skills that support future careers.  

Families are also part of the journey. Through resource fairs, art days, and movie nights, parents connect with the tools and inspiration they need to keep reading going at home. “We want students to hold steady or grow and to enjoy the process,” said Ken Livingston of United Way of Delaware. With the right support, every child can succeed, and every summer can be a step forward. United Way of Delaware and its community partners are helping students throughout Delaware spark a lifelong love of reading, see a lifetime of opportunity, and turn the page on the summer slide.