Supporting Literacy and Creating an Educated Workforce By Christina Robinson Grochett, University of Phoenix – Houston Vice President
• 11.3 percent of children ages 6-17 in Texas have repeated at least one grade. • Texas is among the bottom four states for daily reading rates to young children. (Studies show that reading to children helps develop critical thinking skills.)
Influence by Houston Woman Magazine and one of the Top 10 business women by University of Phoenix, which is the American Business Women’s Association the official education partner of the in 2008. Under her leadership, the Houston Houston Rockets, selected literacy as its campuses were selected as a 2009 Best Place
The Importance of Giving Back
and were awarded with the 2010, 2009 and 2008 Alfred P. Sloan Awards from the City of Houston for Workplace Flexibility and Innovation.
community cause because of the longterm benefits. Reading is a fundamental building block that sets students up for success in school and results in a more positive attitude toward education. With that positive attitude students are more likely to continue their academic journey through college and beyond. The power of education belongs to everyone and University of Phoenix is committed to supporting education at all levels. Ultimately, this partnership and literacy initiative will strengthen our community and create the next generation of leaders.
CHRISTINA R. GROCHETT
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y 2018 there will be 46.8 million job openings, of which 63 percent will require a form of postsecondary education, according to a study released in June by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Currently, approximately 59 percent of jobs require post-secondary education. The Center predicts the nation will need 22 million new college degrees, but will fall short by at least three million. (For more information about the study, visit: http://cew.georgetown.edu/jobs2018/) The demand for a better-educated workforce is largely attributed to the increased use of technology, which is now required in nearly every industry. This report is aligned with President Barack Obama’s goal to have the best educated and most competitive workforce in the world by 2020. Reading skills are the foundation of a good education. Children who don’t develop their reading skills, often struggle later in life and are unlikely to continue their education. Low literacy levels also directly affect the business climate and economic growth of a community. Low literacy levels can limit company efficiency and increase operating costs by forcing employers to spend more on training and development. Unfortunately, 72 percent of fourth-grade students in Texas read below a proficient level, according to a 2009 report from the National Center for Education Statistics. In fact:
partnered to instill the importance of reading and education in local youth. The “Read to Achieve Challenge” aims to help young students develop their reading skills and encourage adults to regularly read to children. The program, which uses incentives to inspire students to read by themselves or with parents between November 8 and December 13, 2010, will award prizes to the student and school with the most reading minutes. Last month, the Houston Rockets and University of Phoenix hosted a kickoff event at the Toyota Center where players read books to approximately 200 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. In February, the Rockets and the University will reveal the results and celebrate all participants at a Jam Fest Rally. was selected as one of the 2010 Women of to Work by The Houston Business Journal
Low reading proficiency affects student development and ultimately, adult Christina Robinson Grochett is the behavior and future employment. To State Vice President/ Director of South Texas improve local literacy rates, University for University of Phoenix. An accomplished of Phoenix and the Houston Rockets leader and champion of higher learning, she Nov 25 - dec 25 2010
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