Chattanooga City Leaders Announce Citywide Education Plan

For some children it’s all fun and games until he or she cannot read what’s on the computer screen or book, then you see the anger and frustration set in.

Lurone Jennings Senior, Chattanooga’s Administrator for Youth and Family Development, says, "If a child is not reading by 3rd grade, research is showing that they don’t do well in life in general and bad things start to happen."

Like prison later in life, says, Jennings.

That’s why he’s trying to equip community centers with a reading program called Lexia.

Jamie Bergmann, with the United Way of Greater Chattanooga, adds, "There are a lot of parents that can help with their children and also improve their reading scores as well."

Several places already use Lexia, like the Bethlehem Center, so we asked why is it just now catching on?

Bergmann adds, "I think it’s the best kept secret if you want to know the truth. I think they’ve had some awesome results. I think a lot of people don’t know about the results. This community center is doing tremendous work in the Alton Park area."

Recent grant money made it possible for the city to buy 40 additional Lexia Program licenses, and with the training provided Friday, Lexia be in a few more community centers come summer.

Jennings says, "So children can have fun this summer, but yet continue to learn and be ready for going back to school."

Call the United Way for more information on how to get your child involved.