Sixty Dean College first-year students serve as reading partners to children in the Franklin Public School system, Franklin Human Services Department, Forge Family YMCA, Franklin Public Library, and the Franklin Children's School. The program is sponsored by an After-School Grant from the Massachusetts Campus Compact and the Massachusetts Service Alliance. Additional funding was provided by Putnum Investments. Sixty Dean College students serve as reading partners for pre-school and elementary school age children. Community Service Scholars work with 4 schools in the Franklin school district.
Training is ongoing for tutors through monthly training sessions and bi-weekly reflection groups.
The Community Service Scholars Program has put together a training handbook. We use program evaluation forms for the reading partners and the community partners. We have promoted our efforts through the local media advertising our new programs in newspapers. Jumpstart's mission is towork towards the day that every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. To accomplish this mission, Jumpstart builds School Success, Family Involvement and Future Teachers, one child at a time.