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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: Apri14, 2000 Action Agenda Item No. ~^ SUBJECT: Authorize Submission of New RSVP Project on School-Based Literacy Assistance DEPARTMENT: Aging PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/1~ No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Application Jerry M. Passmore TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 96$-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To request approval to submit and accept a competitive application for $ 10,778 in federal funds to the Corporation of National Service on a project of national significance--providing school- based literacy assistance with volunteers for the period July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001. This is a special focus of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. BACKGROUND: Orange County is comprised of two school districts -Orange County School System (OCS) with an approximate elementary enrollment of 3,030, and Chapel Hi1UCarrboro City Schools System (CHCCS) with an approximate elementary enrollment of 3,770. The end-of--year literacy test results show a large disparity between the percentages of elementary school students scoring in the "non- proficient" range when comparing the two school districts. In OCS, the percentage of elementary school students scoring in the "non-proficient" range was almost two times that of CHCCS students (21.4% - 321 of the 1,503 tested, compazed to 11 % - 196 of the 1,822 tested). The Orange County RSVP Reading Project is designed to reduce by 50% the number of OCS elementary students scaring in the "non- proficient" range by providing one-on-one tutoring by RSVP volunteers. The Project has the full support of Randy Bridges, OCS Superintendent, and the principals of the six OCS elementary schools. The existing RSVP Assistant will be assigned to the Project as the Reading Coordinator to oversee the 36 volunteers and serve as the liaison to the school system. No additional paid staff will be required. FINANCIAL IMPACT: While the application requires $4,704 of local funds, the overall RSVP Program already has the local match and will not require additional County funds for this special RSVP project. The annual dollar value of the program is $64,865 (4,536 volunteer hours @ $14.30*). *1999 Economic Report to the President. RECOMMENDATION(S): Manager recommends approval of the special RSVP application for the Project of National Significance and authorize the Chair to sign application and accept the funds if project is awarded.