Principals Speak Out About the Benefits
Experience Corps Brings to Their Schools

An independent survey shows that urban elementary school principals in 13 cities welcome Experience Corps in their schools primarily because it boosts their bottom line – student academic achievement. Nine out of 10 principals surveyed say that the presence of Experience Corps in their schools improves students’ academic performance, boosts students’ readiness to learn, and positively affects students’ self-confidence and attitude toward school.

When Experience Corps asked a few principals to describe the program in their own words, here’s what they said.

Baltimore
“Experience Corps members provide extra hands, extra eyes, extra help, extra time. This program is a wonderful opportunity, and its members are truly a part of our family.”
— Debbie Thomas, principal, Medfield Heights Elementary

“Experience Corps members contributed substantially to an improvement in first grade reading scores through one-on-one reading, encouragement, and making the 100 Book Challenge possible. In addition, there is a big difference in school atmosphere and climate as a result of the program. Last year, I saw a decrease in office referrals for inappropriate behavior from 117 to 56, due to Experience Corps’s presence in our school.”
— Irma Johnson, principal, Dallas Nicholas Elementary

“We had no suspensions this year of K-3 students as a result of Experience Corps. The volunteers caught a lot of situations early, which made the difference. Plus, the program has made a difference in reading comprehension, language, and vocabulary. It allows teachers to individualize instruction better and meet the specialized needs of children.”
— Jackie Waters-Scofield, principal, Guilford Elementary/Middle

Boston
Experience Corps volunteers have been a very valuable addition to the Russell School. They have really helped the kids academically, both in their reading and through the extra opportunities for oral language development. Finally, and wonderfully, from a harried administrator’s point of view, the program, with its on-site coordinator, runs itself.”
— Barbara Corey, principal, William Russell Elementary

Cleveland
“Since we’ve had Experience Corps in our school, we’ve seen a significant change in student achievement. Our school has many students who come from shelters, and the interaction with the Experience Corps members benefits them not only academically, but socially as well.”
— Katrinka Dean, principal, John W. Raper Elementary School

Indianapolis
“Experience Corps volunteers help to reinforce in the minds and hearts of our children that age has no barriers for services from the heart. They are encouraging, motivating, and provide an extra personal touch that the students would not otherwise have. We couldn’t do our job as well as we do without their support.”
— Elizabeth Odle, principal, Indianapolis Public School #14

Kansas City
“Experience Corps members help me reach my goals by working one-on-one with students to bring them up to grade level in reading. They do an excellent job in building students’ skills and confidence in reading.”
— Mamie Keith, principal, Franklin Elementary School

“Experience Corps volunteers help us reach our goal of providing individualized instruction for at-risk students who do not qualify for any at-risk programs.”
— Anita L. Gibbs, principal, Askew Elementary School

Minneapolis
“The relationships that develop between the older adults from Experience Corps and the students are invaluable. The students know the adults care about them, and they look forward to the time spent each day working on reading or math skills. The extra attention helps us reach the goal of having every child succeed in school.”
— Mary Noble, principal, Howe Elementary School

New York City
“We feel very fortunate to have this marvelous program in our school because it has benefited so many of our students. It helps students feel capable of completing tasks in a manner that meets the standards of the school. It also helps them believe that they can connect successfully with others. And, as a result of working on a one-on-one basis, it helps students acquire the skills that make it possible for them to be contributing members in their classrooms.”
— Dorothy Carmichael, principal, P.S. 29

“The commitment and caring of the volunteers makes the children eager to work with them.”
— Carol Pertchik, principal, P.S. 277

Philadelphia
“Experience Corps helps me reach my goals by providing quality one-on-one help to those students who need it the most. Corps members are well trained, self-managed, and will go out of their way to do whatever is needed to help students gain success.”
— Rosemary Cataldi, principal, Cook Wissahickon Elementary

“Experience Corps helps us meet our goals by taking the Core Curriculum a step further for children in need. The tutors provide a consistent, reliable intervention that allows students who are falling behind an opportunity to reach proficiency. We look forward to our PSSA results in the spring and truly believe that our scores will increase, and Experience Corps will be a part of the success.”
— Debora Borges-Carrera, principal, McKinley Elementary School

Port Arthur, Texas
“Experience Corps members are a dynamic, vibrant, knowledgeable, vivacious, caring group of people. The tutoring they provided in grades K, 1 and 2 directly impacted the success that the third grade students achieved this year. DeQueen Elementary is the only school in the Port Arthur Independent School District that had 100% mastery on the third grade TAKS test in reading and math. These students were served three years prior to taking the test by Experience Corps workers. It is undeniable that this illustrious group has made a direct impact on our students.”
— Gladdie Fowler, principal, DeQueen Elementary School

Portland, Oregon
“We cannot say enough kind words about the support our Experience Corps members have brought to our students and staff. We are particularly excited about the connections these talented seniors have made with children who are in need of a special friend or mentor. There is no question that our program has been enhanced this year by the addition of Experience Corps.”
— Sue Braithwaite, principal, Barnes Elementary School

San Francisco
“Experience Corps is great. The thing that stands out about the program is the quality, consistency, and reliability of the people they bring in. Magic happens when volunteers make that one-on-one or small group connection with children. It’s priceless.”
— David Wong, principal, Francis Scott Key Elementary

Washington, DC
“We consider Experience Corps one of the best community programs we have been privileged to host.”
— Leroy Owens, principal, Birney Elementary

“At first I did not think I wanted older people in my school. Now I know how much they bring – not just for the students, but also for the teachers, especially the new ones.”
— Ann Thomas, principal, Scott Montgomery Elementary

To download a full copy of the report, click here. For a copy of the news release, click here.

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