First Tee – Tampa Bay's SOAR Program Sees Remarkable Success
First Tee – Tampa Bay continues to make significant strides in youth development beyond the golf course. The organization's partnership with the Sing Out and Read (SOAR) program is helping elementary school children dramatically improve their reading skills in just three months.
A Powerful Partnership
Several years ago, First Tee – Tampa Bay joined forces with the SOAR program to address a critical need: helping struggling young readers catch up to—and even surpass—their expected reading grade levels. This innovative program targets children in grades 3-5 and provides them with the tools and motivation to enhance their reading abilities.
What makes this initiative particularly impactful is that it's completely FREE for selected participants. SOAR loans each family a tablet with pre-installed program software, allowing children to practice their reading skills in a structured yet engaging environment.
Impressive Results from Fall Session
This past fall, the program worked with 29 children from the University Area Community Development Corporation in North Tampa. Executive Director of First Tee - Tampa Bay, Ian Baxter shared that the results were nothing short of remarkable:
25 out of 29 participants exceeded the 900-minute benchmark during the 12-week session
All children completed at least 350 minutes of reading practice
Participants averaged an impressive 1.6 reading grade level improvement
These numbers highlight the program's effectiveness, as reaching the 900-minute mark typically corresponds with at least one full reading grade level improvement.
Rewarding Dedication
Beyond the academic benefits, the program includes a powerful incentive. Children who complete the full 900 minutes of SOAR usage during the 12-week session earn a brand-new, high-quality tablet that becomes theirs to keep! This reward not only celebrates their achievement but provides them with continued access to digital learning resources.
The success of this program demonstrates First Tee – Tampa Bay's commitment to development and creating opportunities for growth both on and off the golf course.
For more information about First Tee – Tampa Bay and its various youth development programs, visit firstteetampabay.org.
