Buffalo Creek Literacy Project

We cannot recommend Mr. Pratt and the Buffalo Creek Literacy Project highly enough. Over the past several years, Mr. Pratt has been an integral part of our daughter’s journey, and the transformation in her reading is nothing short of amazing. When she started, she was a struggling reader, but under his guidance, she has grown by leaps and bounds.
The book ‘Thank You, Mr. Falker’ by Patricia Polacco is a great example of Mr. Pratt’s character and his dedication to students. Just like the teacher in that story, he is a truly incredible educator who knows exactly how to support and empower his students. Beyond just the technical skills, he has a unique gift for building confidence and strength where it’s needed most. We are so grateful for the impact he has had on our daughter’s education and self-esteem. If you are looking for someone to help you or your child reach their full potential, look no further!

I am writing in support of the Buffalo Creek Literacy Project, and to share the incredible impact it has had on my son, Joshua. Joshua has been working with his reading tutor, Jeff Pratt, for the past year, and the improvement we have seen has truly been night and day.

Before starting this program, Joshua struggled significantly with reading and confidence. Since working with Jeff, his reading skills have grown tremendously, and he has made progress that we honestly didn’t think would come so quickly. Not only has his reading level improved, but his attitude toward learning has changed in such a positive way.

Jeff Pratt has been a true blessing to our family. His patience, dedication, encouragement, and ability to connect with Joshua have made all the difference. He has been a guiding light throughout this process, and we are extremely thankful for the support he has provided every step of the way.

We are beyond grateful for the Buffalo Creek Literacy Project and the opportunity it has given our son.

Buffalo Creek is a great service. Jeff connected with our son and learned to reach him in a way that no other teacher can. Our son looks forward to his time at Buffalo Creek. Without Buffalo Creek, our son wouldn’t be where he is today academically.

Unless notified otherwise by your tutor:

If Stokes County Schools are closed for inclement weather, Buffalo Creek will be closed as well.

If Stokes County Schools are on a delayed schedule or an early dismissal schedule, Buffalo Creek will not operate in schools.  Your tutoring outside of school on those days will be canceled if your scheduled tutoring time falls before school opens on a delayed day or after students are released on an early dismissal day.

You can get information on Stokes County Schools’ delays and closings on our local news channel (WXII). We will also post our closing information on WXII.

88% of people who don’t graduate from high school were struggling readers in the third grade.

Both nationwide and in North Carolina, only 32% of fourth graders were proficient in reading.

Students who are identified as poor readers by the end of their first grade year rarely obtain even averge reading ability.

Since COVID, the number of children who are stuggling to read has grown from about 1 in 5 to about 1 in 3. Here is a link to a podcast, which recently aired on NPR, that explains part of the problem. For parents of a struggling reader, it is well worth the 50 minutes it will take to listen to it. It is very enlightening.

• Nationwide, on average, only 79% of U.S. adults are literate in 2022.

• 21% of adults in the US are illiterate in 2022.

• 54% of adults have a literacy level below 6th grade.

• Low levels of literacy cost the US up to 2.2 trillion per year.

• On average, nationwide, 66% of 4th-grade children in the U.S. could not read proficiently in 2013.

• 85% of juvenile offenders have problems reading.

• 60% of people in American prisons can’t read.

• 75% of people on welfare can’t read.

References

1. U.S. Department of Education Data Points Adult Literacy in the United States

2. NCES Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies

3. Digest of Education Statistics 2018

4. Literacy Project – 30 Key Child Literacy Stats Parents Need to Be Aware of

We are proud and humbled to have received the 2022 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award. Thank you to the King Chamber of Commerce and Duke Energy.