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The Kid Scoop Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to develop engaged and literate citizens in a diverse society. Our programs and interactive activities enhance student achievement through programs that involve students in their local communities and by using newspapers and other news resources as tools that encourage literacy and promote a sense of social responsibility and hometown pride. Why newspapers? - Increase literacy levels -
A recent University of Minnesota research study, Measuring Success, found that when newspapers are used as a teaching tool in the classroom at least once a week, academic achievement test scores go up an average of 10%. In high risk, minority populations the increase was more than 30%. - Cost-effective -
Because newspapers have a business interest in reaching young people, they have an incentive to invest in a program which is not only educationally effective, but also gives them access to future customers. Also, when newspapers become a partner with the local schools, they can provide educational materials at a greatly reduced cost, or even for free. Newspapers, because they can provide valuable publicity, have the ability to obtain business partners to offset additional costs. - Civic Participation -
When students regularly read their local newspaper, they become exposed to democracy in action. They read about how people in a community contribute to the quality of life; they read about problems communities’ face and the differing opinions on how to solve these problems. They have to become good readers, they have to learn to distinguish fact from opinion, understand points of view and become critical thinkers as well as readers. They also become exposed first-hand to the importance of free speech and a free press. They also learn how local government works, something that is nearly impossible to find in today’s textbooks. Talk to any person actively involved in a community and they are readers of their local newspaper. Once people understand their communities, they find ways to get involved and serve. |
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